Role of the Table Side Assistant in Robot-Assisted Surgery

Introduction: The widespread adoption of robotic surgery by urologic surgeons has grown over the past 20 years. Console surgeons work in tandem with the tableside assistant to complete the surgery in an efficacious and safe manner. In high volume medical centers the table side assistant’s role is especially important in delivering quality care to large numbers of patients. This chapter describes the C.A.R.E—consistency, anticipation, repetition, efficiency model that one institution utilizes. It describes in detail the specific approach, steps and tips and tricks standardized and implemented as part of this model with regards to a complex urologic surgery such as robotic cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion. This process has helped the team minimize surgical disruption and optimize flow while reducing operative time.