  Laparoscopic surgery has the advantage of avoiding large open incisions and
thereby decreasing blood loss, pain, and discomfort to patients. However, on
the other side, it is hampered by restricted workspace, ambiguous
communication, and surgeon fatigue caused by non-ergonomic head positioning. We
aimed to identify critical problems and suggest design requirements and
solutions. We used user and task analysis methods to learn about practices
performed in an operating room by observing surgeons in their working
environment to understand how they performed tasks and achieved their intended
goals. Drawing on observations and analysis from recorded laparoscopic
surgeries, we have identified several constraints and design requirements to
propose potential solutions to address the issues. Surgeons operate in a dimly
lit environment, surrounded by monitors, and communicate through verbal
commands and pointing gestures. Therefore, performing user and task analysis
allowed us to better understand the existing problems in laparoscopy while
identifying several communication constraints and design requirements, which a
solution has to follow to address those problems. Our contributions include
identifying design requirements for laparoscopy surgery through a user and task
analysis. These requirements propose design solutions towards improved
surgeons' comfort and make the surgical procedure less laborious.

Human-Computer Interaction