Robotic Surgery Emergency Undocking — FRCA Final MCQ

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HardAnaesthetic Equipment & SafetyRobotic Surgery Emergency UndockingFRCA Final

A 45-year-old man is having a robotic radical prostatectomy. The robot is docked and the patient is in steep Trendelenburg. An intraoperative emergency (fire, gas leak) requires immediate evacuation of the operating theatre. What is the most critical step before moving the patient?

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Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Disconnect the capnograph

In a robotic surgery emergency requiring evacuation, the robotic arms MUST be undocked from the patient before the patient can be moved. The robot is mechanically attached to the patient via trocars, and moving the patient without undocking will cause severe intra-abdominal organ injury or trocar avulsion. The surgical and nursing team must practice emergency undocking drills regularly. Simultaneously: deflate the pneumoperitoneum, flatten the table from Trendelenburg, and prepare for patient transfer. This is why all robotic teams must have a rehearsed emergency undocking protocol.

Reference: RCOA – 2023 – Robotic surgery safety; AAGBI – 2020 – Fire safety in operating theatres