Robotic Gynecologic Surgery: A Beginner's Guide to Becoming an Effective Bedside Assistant

Abstract

<h3>Study Objective</h3> Learning to become an effective bedside assistant during robotic gynecologic surgery is a difficult task with many real-world nuances. The authors aim to create a video to be a guide for those individuals beginning to fill the role of the bedside assistant in robotic gynecologic surgery, such as residents, physician assistants, and operating room staff. <h3>Design</h3> Instructional video footage was filmed to demonstrate appropriate handling of the robotic system at the bedside. Additional footage was selected that illustrates concepts of best practices in robotic gynecologic surgery. <h3>Setting</h3> This video takes place within a Minimally Invasive Gynecology operating room using a standard robotic system. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> This video is intended for those beginning to fill the role of bedside assistant in robotic gynecologic surgery (i.e., residents, physician assistants, and surgical scrub technicians/nurses). <h3>Interventions</h3> This video reviews components of the patient cart, cannulas, and instruments in a common robotic system. The video also distills the key points of docking the patient cart, mounting cannulas, and handling of robotic instruments. It highlights safe techniques with use of standard laparoscopic instruments through the assistant port. Additionally, it helps identify ways to be a helpful bedside assistant, including multiple ways to improve the surgeon's visualization of the operative field and anticipate the needs of the primary surgeon. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> N/A. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The skills of being able to efficiently handle robotic equipment, optimize the surgeon's visualization, and be prepared for next steps in the surgery are illusive to the novice bedside assistant. Review of high yield concepts can help prepare those beginning to fill the role of the bedside assist in robotic gynecologic surgery. This video illustrates many of these concepts and techniques with the intention of guiding those who are new to this role.