Emergency Management in Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

Robotic and laparoscopic (minimally invasive surgery [MIS]) surgeries are widely considered as safe or, in some cases, safer than their open counterparts. That said, there are specific risks associated with these procedures that need to be considered. Surgeons performing these procedures should be well versed in the procedure-specific complications, their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. While it is not possible to detail every possible emergency scenario and its management one could encounter during surgery, this article highlights some of the major emergencies specific to MIS surgery, along with their initial diagnosis and management.