Robotic Surgery: How Safe Is It?



High-tech gadgets have become so much part of our daily lives and has depended on these gadgets to make our lives a little easier. Even in the medical field, surgeons and patients alike have trusted surgical robots in helping them perform complex surgeries. One of the most well-known brands for surgical robots is the da Vinci surgical robotic system, which is manufactured by Intuitive Surgical. However, this high-tech helper is under scrutiny over reports of problems, including several deaths that may be linked with it and the high cost of using the robotic system.


Advocates of robotic surgery claimed that robotic surgery is more effective and safe compared to traditional open surgery. However, the benefits offered by robotic surgery seems unclear to health experts. The consequence is that little is known of the real disadvantages of the equipment, and the injuries and deaths it may cause, even as robotic surgery is widely marketed to consumers. 


Trust issues have surfaced because of some serious complications caused by the surgical robot. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking a closer look into what is causing the problems. In one case a surgeon inadvertently left rectal tissue in the abdomen after a procedure for ulcerative colitis. In another case a patient undergoing a robotic hysterectomy and ovary removal experienced damage to the bowel and left ureter, requiring multiple corrective treatments.


Lawsuits have been filed by a number of injured robotic surgery patients after they have experienced problems. Potential patients are suggested to consult their respective doctors and gather some information in order to determine if robotic surgery is the best for them.



References:

  • patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/04/16/robot-surgery-problems/
  • katu.com/news/local/When-surgery-by-robot-goes-wrong-216532871.html
  • huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/da-vinci-robot_n_3042258.html
  • articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/17/health/la-he-robotic-surgery-20111017