Ergonomic advantage of pistol‐grip endoscope in the ENT practice

OBJECTIVES: Recent technology manufactured a nasopharyngeal videoscope with pistol‐shaped grip (PG). This study aimed to assess the ergonomic feasibility of this novel device in daily ENT practice. METHODS: To assess the ergonomic impact of grip shape on ENT physicians, conventional grip videoscope (CG) and PG were utilized in this study. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded to assess the muscle activity in the upper limb during endoscopy on a training model. Bilateral sEMG recordings were performed including thenar muscle, pronator teres muscle, brachioradialis muscle, and biceps brachii muscle. Mean value of the mean sEMG amplitude throughout the task in triplicated examinations (mMA) with each electrode, total values of four mMAs in both of the grip‐side and the insertion tube‐side limb muscles, and total value of all eight mMAs were calculated, and compared between CG and PG. Subgroup analyses were also performed in the experienced ENT physicians and the residents. RESULTS: PG provided significantly lower mMA values in thenar muscle and brachioradialis muscle of the grip‐side limb compared with CG. Total value of four mMAs in PG was significantly lower compared with that in CG in the grip‐side limb, and total value of all eight mMAs in PG was significantly lower compared with that in CG. Furthermore, total value of four mMAs in PG was significantly lower compared with that in CG in the grip‐side limb, in both of the subgroups. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to support the idea that the newly designed pistol‐grip endoscope may have an ergonomic advantage over conventional endoscope for otolaryngologists in daily practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4