Anesthetic Implications of Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

The novel technology of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has been utilized in children for the past two decades with several potential clinical benefits including reduction of postoperative pain, shortened hospital length of stay, and improved cosmetic outcomes. While associated costs and the limitations regarding instruments for smaller pediatric patients remain relevant issues, surgeon comfort related to ergonomic design in combination with enhanced three-dimensional high-fidelity imaging and tissue handling compared to traditional minimally invasive approached may offer improved surgical and postoperative outcomes. Given that the demand for this innovative technology will likely continue to expand in the field of pediatric surgery, pediatric anesthesiologists will be called upon to provide anesthetic care to patients exposed to this novel surgical technology with its unique features, intraoperative requirements, and potential complications. The current manuscript provides a narrative review of robotic-assisted surgery and discusses important anesthetic considerations and potential complications of these techniques.