Docking

• Patient is placed in the Trendelenburg position and tilted to the right before rolling in the patient cart.
• The left stirrup might need to be adjusted and moved slightly medial to allow space for the patient cart column and arm 1.
• The correct angle for the patient cart roll up is defined by a straight line running from the endoscope port and crossing the anterior superior iliac spine (should be palpated and marked prior to roll up, see grey circle in Figure 8).
• Move the patient cart straight in towards the endoscope port along this line [Figure 8].

Figure 8: Correct roll up angle for patient cart docking

Docking The Patient Cart

• Ensure endoscope port, target anatomy and patient cart center column are aligned.
• Position camera cannula mount over the endoscope port and dock.
• Use port and arm clutch maneuvers to dock remaining instrument arms.
• Maximize spacing between arms [Figure 10a]:
  • between arms 2 and 3 by pulling arm 3 towards the patient’s chest, opening up space for arm 2 (red and green arrow below)
  • between arm 1 and the camera arm by "tucking" arm 1 in (yellow arrow below)
• Keep instruments in the center of their range of motion.

Next: Surgical Steps