Anesthetic considerations for robotic surgery

Abstract

Recently, demand for minimally invasive surgery has increased greatly. As a result, robot-assisted techniques have gained in popularity, because they overcome several of the shortcomings of conventional laparoscopic techniques. However, robotic surgery may require innovations with regard to patient positioning and the overall arrangement of operative equipment and personnel, which may go against the conservative nature of anesthesia care. Anesthesiologists should become familiar with these changes by learning the basic features of robotic surgical systems to offer better anesthetic care and promote patient safety. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2014; 66: 3-11) © the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists, 2014.