Robotic Hysterectomy Complications Noted in New Research

The use of surgical robots is on the rise despite the higher costs and risks of complications. Various medical studies and injury reports have indicated that certain injuries are more likely to occur with robotic surgery. With these risks in mind, the tangibility of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is brought into question.

The latest research on this subject comes from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where scientists published a study of robotic hysterectomy procedures in the latest issue of Ostetrics & Gynecology. According to the findings, nearly 9% of all robotic hysterectomy procedures had endured complications. This injury rate is comparable with a standard hand-done invasive hysterectomy surgery.

Essentially, the study suggests that performing a robotic hysterectomy with the da Vinci Surgical System does not provide any additional safety in surgical procedures.  The study concluded that there was no justification for the increased cost to use the surgical system, and even debated whether or not it should be available to market.  The research compiled observed data on over 800,000 hysterectomy procedures performed on female patients in the U.S. from 2009 and 2010.

The statistics found that 20.6% of these procedures were performed using laparoscopic surgery, while 5.15% were performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, and the rest were performed as traditional hysterectomy procedures.  The da Vinci surgeries were far more expensive than the laparoscopic and traditional procedures, but were comparable in complication occurrence rate.

The rate of robotic hysterectomy complications was at 8.80%, while the laparascopic procedures were at 8.85%. The study evaluated these rate as equivalent in occurrence rate.  Additionally, patients who underwent the procedure were most likely to experience postoperative pneumonia, but seemed less likely to need blood transfusion.

As of now, the da Vinci Surgical System is the only approved robotic surgical system in the U.S. for hysterectomy procedures, but has grown so popular that the device is often used in similar procedures.  The nationwide popularity it has gained throughout American hospitals has been attributed to aggressive marketing by the da Vinci manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical Inc., which promotes the device as a superior compared to human surgeons, and novelty option to consumers who can afford it.

However, medical experts caution people to get these surgeries because evidence is suggesting they are no safer than traditional procedures.  There are various complications associated with this device that has caused quite a stir in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and medical community.  These da Vinci robotic surgery complications have lead to public scrutiny and product safety liability litigation movement against the manufacturer Intuitive Surgical.

Overview of da Vinci Robotic Surgery Complications

The da Vinci Surgical System is currently used for several different urologic, laparoscopic, gynecologic and non-cardiovascular thoracoscopic surgical procedures, along with thoracoscopically assisted cardiotomy procedures.  The surgical robot has been aggressively promoted the device as a superior and safer alternative, along with reduced recovery time.   However, in the past few years since its release, various complications have been reported regarding injuries and even deaths.

Complication reports have indicated serious injuries such as burns, tears, organ punctures, and other internal injuries.  Additionally, concerns of whether the robotic system may be overused, and whether or not it is beneficial enough to remain on the market.  In other recent scientific inquiry, researchers from Johns Hopkins warned that the da Vinci Surgical System complications are underreported, suggesting that the injury rate is even higher than originally believed.

Da Vinci Surgery Litigation Movement

Intuitive Surgical, has been facing a growing number of lawsuits filed by patients who allege they suffered from serious injuries from device surgeries.  In a recent filing with Securities exchange Commission (SEC), the company disclosed that at least 33 da Vinci robot lawsuits have been filed in state and federal courts throughout the country.  Legal experts expect the number of these reports to rise in the near future.

The company also faces a number of shareholder class action lawsuits over the da Vinci Surgical System, which were brought on behalf of investors who alleged that the company withheld information about the safety of the product, and hid serious complication reports experienced by surgeons during or shortly after the procedures.

File a da Vinci Robot Lawsuit Today

If you or a loved one were injured following robotic surgery performed by the da Vinci Surgical System, visit the Da Vinci Robot Surgery Class Action Lawsuit & Robotic Surgery Lawsuit Investigation.  Fill out the short form to receive a free review of your potential da Vinci robot lawsuit. If you qualify, a robotic surgery lawsuit lawyer will contact you about the next steps to take, at no cost to you.