Complications of Robotic Surgical Access

Surgical access symbolizes the backbone of minimally invasive surgery; it encompasses entry into the abdominal cavity, creation of the pneumoperitoneum, port placement, and subsequent docking of the robotic system. Improper placement can result in technical challenges during the surgery, including longer operative time, clashing of instruments both intracorporeally and extracorporeally, difficulty with dissection, and sometimes necessitates trocar repositioning. Approximately 1 out of every 100 patients undergoing a robotic procedure will develop a complication, with the highest number occurring during surgical access. Proper planning and training are essential not only to minimize the rate of complications but also for early recognition and management of complications in a timely and efficient manner, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality rates of robotic procedures.