The Hapo FRONT evaluated under surgical conditions: results of an IRCAD study

The Hapo FRONT evaluated in surgical conditions: the results of a study from IRCAD

The Hapo FRONT evaluated in surgical conditions: the results of a study from IRCAD

Conducted at the IRCAD (Research Institute Against Digestive Cancers) in Strasbourg and published in July 2026 in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, this research highlights a significant reduction in the physical effort felt by surgeons equipped with the exoskeleton.

Hapo FRONT

An evaluation of the Hapo FRONT under experimental operating conditions

Laparoscopic surgery imposes significant ergonomic constraints on practitioners: prolonged arm positioning in front of the body, precise and repetitive movements, static postures.

To assess the contribution of an exoskeleton in this demanding environment, researchers at IRCAD conducted a comparative study with 20 surgeons of varying levels of experience.

Each participant performed two surgical procedures on a pig model, one with the Hapo FRONT and the other without an exoskeleton.

The researchers specifically evaluated the perceived workload using the NASA-TLX questionnaire, a recognized method for analyzing multiple dimensions of activity, including physical demand, effort, and mental load.

A significant reduction in physical demand and perceived effort.

The results show statistically significant differences on two criteria among surgeons using the Hapo FRONT:

  • Perceived physical demand: a median score of 72.5 without exoskeleton compared to 45 with the Hapo FRONT.
  • Perceived effort: a median score of 65 without exoskeleton compared to 37.5 with the Hapo FRONT.

These results suggest that the assistance provided by the exoskeleton may help reduce the physical strain experienced during certain surgical tasks.

The overall workload also shows a downward trend, although it does not reach statistical significance.

Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed regarding the time taken to complete the procedures.

Close-up of a surgeon's arms manipulating tools.
A surgeon prepares before an operation.

Particularly interesting benefits for certain surgical procedures.

The study also reveals that the effects of Hapo FRONT may vary depending on the experience of the surgeons and the nature of the procedures performed.

The researchers notably observed a significant reduction in the overall workload among experienced surgeons as well as during procedures requiring manual suturing.

These results suggest that the benefit of physical assistance may be particularly pronounced during technical activities that place sustained demands on the upper limbs.

New perspectives for ergonomics in the operating room

Designed to accompany arm movements in front of the body, the Hapo FRONT is a passive exoskeleton weighing 1.3 kg, which provides mechanical assistance without motorization.

This exploratory study illustrates its potential in a particularly demanding professional environment, beyond its usual applications in industry and technical professions.

However, the authors emphasize the need to continue research, particularly on longer interventions and with complementary biomechanical measurements.

These results represent a promising contribution to research on surgical ergonomics and confirm the interest in studying exoskeletons as physical assistance solutions tailored to the specific constraints of each profession.

To go further

Scientific study: Kitaguchi D. et al. (2026), Ergonomic impact of a passive upper-limb exoskeleton on surgeon workload during laparoscopic tasks: a crossover experimental study, Surgical Endoscopy. View the publication.

Supplementary article: A scientific study evaluates the Hapo FRONT in laparoscopic surgery, focusing on shoulder muscle activity during simulated surgical movements. Read the article.

Contact one of our experts.

Our teams are at your disposal to assess your needs and organize tests in real situations to allow your employees to experience the benefits of exoskeletons in their work environment.

Contact an expert

Contact one of our experts.

Our teams are at your disposal to assess your needs and organize real-life tests to allow your employees to experience the benefits of exoskeletons Hapo in their work environment.

Contact an expert