Effectiveness of haptic feedback during local and remote robotic surgery: single-blind cadaveric study.

Abstract

Background: Robotic surgery has rapidly evolved, with telesurgery emerging as a promising extension. However, the lack of haptic feedback remains a key limitation, potentially compromising surgical safety. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of haptic feedback on surgical performance in both local and remote robotic settings using a cadaver model.

Methods: Six gastrointestinal surgeons were assigned to local or remote groups and performed standardized bowel traction tasks using the Saroa™ surgical robot. Haptic feedback was tested at three levels: none (0), moderate (0.5), and full (1.0). Each participant completed the task three times under each condition. Task completion time, grip force, and forceps path length were measured.

Results: Grip force significantly decreased with increasing haptic feedback levels, particularly in the non-dominant (left) hand. No significant differences in task completion time or forceps path length were found across feedback levels or between local and remote settings, except for a longer right-hand path length in the remote group at feedback level 0.5.

Conclusions: Haptic feedback reduced grip force in both local and remote robotic surgery, suggesting enhanced surgical safety. However, its effect on efficiency metrics was limited. These findings support the integration of haptic feedback in telesurgical systems, although further validation with complex procedures and more participants is warranted.