Radius surgical system and conventional laparoscopic instruments in abdominal surgery: application, learning curve and ergonomy.

We illustrate our experience with a new class of instruments, the mechanical manipulators (MM), whose main features are an improved mobility, and ergonomy and a modular structure. A specific MM, the Radius Surgical System (RADIUS), has been used both for educational purposes as well as in clinical studies, demonstrating that it can represent an efficient tool to support surgeons performing surgical complex procedures, with a short learning curve for the postural attitude.