A surgeon at a leading London hospital has become the first to perform a lengthy operation while wearing an exoskeleton, in a move that could signal a wider shift in how healthcare organisations protect staff from physical strain in the operating theatre.
Mr Kapil Sahnan, a colorectal surgeon at St Mark’s National Bowel Hospital in London, wore the device during a seven-hour procedure. The exoskeleton was introduced to help reduce the muscular fatigue and postural strain that surgeons can experience during long and physically demanding operations.
The wearable device, known as the Hapo Front exoskeleton, is designed to be worn over surgical scrubs. It supports the arms, shoulders and back while allowing the wearer to maintain a full range of movement. This is particularly important in surgery, where precision, control and dexterity are essential throughout every stage of a procedure.
Addressing the physical demands of surgery
Speaking about the experience, Mr Sahnan said surgery can place a significant physical burden on clinicians, particularly during longer cases where they may spend hours in a fixed position over the operating table.
“Surgery can be physically very demanding, especially during longer procedures, which can last many hours,” he said. “Being hunched over an operating table is not great for your posture, so this is a welcome piece of kit for surgeons.”
Before the operation, Mr Sahnan’s movements were assessed by Andre Jutel from Stanley, a company specialising in workplace safety solutions. Using Stanley’s ErgoScan app, the team evaluated his posture and movement patterns before recommending the Hapo Front exoskeleton as the most suitable option to help reduce fatigue while preserving surgical comfort and performance.
The exoskeleton itself is lightweight and made up of adjustable back, shoulder and arm straps. According to the manufacturer, it is intended to support the wearer’s musculoskeletal system without restricting natural motion. That balance is especially relevant in healthcare environments, where any supportive equipment must work around the needs of both the professional and the patient.
In this case, the operation was performed on a patient with inflammatory bowel disease who had already undergone multiple surgeries during her lifetime. The procedure involved removing an ileoanal pouch that had caused her a number of debilitating problems after years of use.
Mr Sahnan said one of the key advantages of the suit was that it did not interfere with hand movement, which is critical in complex surgical settings.
“It’s very good because you can maintain the dexterity of your hands while performing surgery,” he said. “During the training, I did feel like I was being measured for a suit, but the exoskeleton is surprisingly easy to put on and adjust, and it is certainly something I will be using again.”
A wider workforce health issue
His comments also point to a wider occupational health issue within the surgical profession. Long hours, repetitive movements and sustained awkward postures can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders over time. For specialist hospitals with relatively small clinical teams, the impact of sickness absence related to these issues can be especially difficult to manage.
“We’re a specialised hospital with a small niche workforce, so we can’t afford to have surgeons going off sick with issues like muscular disorders, which is a common side effect of the profession,” Mr Sahnan added.
The case highlights a growing area of interest for health and safety professionals in healthcare, where attention is increasingly turning to the physical demands placed on clinical staff as well as the environments in which they work. While exoskeleton technology has already been explored in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and construction, its use in operating theatres remains relatively new.
Why this matters for HSE professionals
For HSE professionals, the trial offers a clear example of how wearable support technology could be used to help tackle ergonomic risk in high pressure roles. In settings where workers must maintain concentration and physical precision for extended periods, reducing fatigue may also have wider benefits for wellbeing, resilience and performance.
Mr Sahnan was recently appointed Director of Innovation for St Mark’s and said the hospital plans to continue exploring advanced technologies that could benefit both staff and patients.
“We are a small hospital with a long history of innovation regarding bowel disease, so we should pay tribute to our predecessors by continuing to push forward,” he said.
Exoskeletons in healthcare could become more common
Graham Sharp, Managing Director of Stanley, said the early response from the surgical team had been extremely positive and suggested that this type of equipment could become more common across the healthcare sector in future.
“The fantastic feedback from Mr Sahnan and his team demonstrates how exoskeleton technology is supporting the profession, particularly during lengthy operations,” he said.
“We advised the team at St Mark’s on the best technology for this type of procedure and supplied training along with the HAPO Front exoskeleton.
A development worth watching
As healthcare providers continue to look for practical ways to protect staff and improve working conditions, the use of exoskeletons in surgery may become an important development to watch. For organisations focused on reducing workplace strain, preventing injury and supporting workforce sustainability, innovations like this could soon move from pilot projects to everyday practice.
