Position-related injury is uncommon in robotic gynecologic surgery

- Incidence of position-related injury among women undergoing robotic gynecologic surgery was extremely low (0.8%).
- Prior abdominal surgery was the only identified risk factor for position-related injury.
- A standardized approach may significantly decrease position-related injuries following robotic gynecologic surgery.

ObjectiveTo assess the rate and risk factors for position-related injury in robotic gynecologic surgery.MethodsA prospective database from 12/2006 to 1/2014 of all planned robotic gynecologic procedures was retrospectively reviewed for patients who experienced neurologic injury, musculoskeletal injury, or vascular compromise related to patient positioning in the operating room. Analysis was performed to determine risk-factors and incidence for position-related injury.ResultsOf the 831 patients who underwent robotic surgery during the study time period, only 7 (0.8%) experienced positioning-related injury. The injuries included minor head contusions (n = 3), two lower extremity neuropathies (n = 2), brachial plexus injury (n = 1) and one large subcutaneous ecchymosis on the left flank and thigh (n = 1). There were no long term sequelae from the positioning-related injuries. The only statistically significant risk factor for positioning-related injury was prior abdominal surgery (P = 0.05). There were no significant associations between position-related injuries and operative time (P = 0.232), body mass index (P = 0.847), age (P = 0.152), smoking history (P = 0.161), or medical comorbidities (P = 0.229-0.999).ConclusionsThe incidence of position-related injury among women undergoing robotic surgery was extremely low (0.8%). Due to the low incidence we were unable to identify modifiable risk factors for position-related injury following robotic surgery. A standardized, team-oriented approach may significantly decrease position-related injuries following robotic gynecologic surgery.