. Fouling of the endoscope lens is a major problem in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We examined whether the use of the intelligent arm support system (iArmS), a robotic armrest, could prolong endoscope lens-wiping intervals in ESS and thus allow for continuously clear endoscopic images. . This study is a prospective, nonrandomized crossover study. . Three surgeons who performed ESS at 2 centers each conducted 3 operations with the iArmS and 3 operations without the iArmS; thus, 18 operations were assessed. To blind the assessments, we performed them prospectively without informing subjects of the endpoints. We recorded the operations and observed the recordings at a later date; endoscope lens-wiping times were noted in seconds to determine the endoscope lens-wiping intervals. Our examination was based on the null hypothesis that endoscope lens-wiping intervals would not differ according to the use or nonuse of the iArmS. . The median endoscope lens-wiping intervals with and without using the iArmS were 361 seconds and 135 seconds, respectively. Based on the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, this difference was significant ( = 0.001); thus, the null hypothesis was rejected. This result indicated that endoscope lens-wiping intervals are greatly prolonged by the use of the iArmS. . The iArmS robotic armrest is suitable for ESS, prolongs endoscope lens-wiping intervals, and facilitates obtaining continuous clear endoscopic images.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1553350620929864 | DOI Listing |
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