In one embodiment, a surgical rigid arm (100, 150, 200, 900) includes a first portion (102, 152, 202, 902), a second portion (103, 153, 203, 903) and a central portion (105, 154, 205, 906), where the central portion is extends between the first and second portions. A first end of the first portion and a second end of the second portion are each attached to a peripheral side (14) of a surgical bed (10, 30) such that the first portion and the second portion extend from the surgical bed in a first direction. The central portion extends substantially horizontally and is positioned over the surgical bed, the central portion being connected to the surgical instrument such that a load from the surgical instrument is distributed across the central portion to the first portion and second portion to provide rigid support for the surgical instrument.