PURPOSE: To describe our approach for port placement and robot docking for pelvic and kidney surgery (KS).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We utilize a four-arm robotic approach and a 5-6 port placement consisting of: 1- 12 mm camera port, 3- 8 mm robotic ports, and 1 to 2 assistant ports. For radical prostatectomy, the working robotic ports run parallel below the level of the umbilicus. Radical cystectomy ports are more cephalad and above the level of the umbilicus. For transperitoneal KS, two bariatric robotic ports are used, aiming for an equilateral triangle configuration. With retroperitoneal (RN) KS, a balloon dilator and balloon port create the RN space; bariatric ports comprise the most anterior and posterior ports.
RESULTS: This technique has been utilized since 2010 on over 2,370 robotic urologic cases. To date, no procedure has required patient or robot positioning while maintaining 4th arm functionality with minimal robotic arm clashing.
CONCLUSIONS: Our approach of port placement and robot docking is reproducible and feasible for pelvic and kidney surgery.
Written by:
Chopra S, Metcalfe C, Abreu AL, Azhar RA, Satkunasivam R, Desai M, Aron M, Gill IS, Berger A. Are you the author?
USC, Institute of Urology, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, STE 7416, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90089.
Reference: J Endourol. 2015 Apr 19. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1089/end.2015.0077
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25891537