Ergonomic port placement in laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Aim Port placement in laparoscopic surgery has important ergonomic implications. A manipulation angle (MA) of 60° has been shown to maximize task efficiency. We calculated the MA used during various stages of both right hemicolectomy (RH) and high anterior resection (AR). Method We compared two methods of port placement for each operation. RH‐PP1 included ports in the left iliac fossa and left upper quadrant. RH‐PP2 included ports suprapubically and in the left iliac fossa. We calculated the MA of each of these methods in mobilizing both the caecum and hepatic flexure. AR‐PP1 included ports in the right iliac fossa and right upper quadrant. AR‐PP2 included ports suprapubically and in the right iliac fossa. We calculated the MA of each of these methods in mobilizing the splenic flexure, descending–sigmoid junction and the recto–sigmoid junction. Results For RH‐PP1, the mean MA for mobilizing the caecum and hepatic flexure was 38° and 52°, respectively. For RH‐PP2, the mean MA for mobilising the caecum and hepatic flexure was 58° and 44°, respectively. For AR‐PP1, the mean MA for mobilizing the splenic flexure, the descending–sigmoid junction and the recto–sigmoid junction was 77°, 41° and 18°, respectively. For AR‐PP2, the mean MA for mobilizing the splenic flexure, the descending–sigmoid junction and the recto–sigmoid junction was 40°, 56° and 34°, respectively. Conclusion There are no two port placements that will allow for an ideal MA at every stage of mobilization for either right‐ or left‐sided resection.