The Da Vinci surgical system, a high tech robotic surgical machine manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., has reportedly been linked to several serious and life-threatening complications. In fact, numerous individuals in the United States and abroad have submitted complaints against the company. The number of such complaints has steadily been growing ever since the robotic machine was first introduced to the public. Intuitive Surgical continues to deny that there is anything wrong with its product. However, mounting evidence shows that the Da Vinci robot does, indeed, have inadequacies that may lead to failed procedures and injuries.
The Da Vinci surgical system was publicly released on the United States market in the year 2000. Since then, it has been used in several complex surgeries, such as hysterectomies, gastric bypass surgeries, prostate removal surgery, heart surgeries, bladder removal surgery, and surgery for thyroid cancer. The manufacturing company boasts the machine’s capability to perform such surgeries in a minimally invasive approach. According to Intuitive, the Da Vinci robot operates through small incisions. Therefore, patients are expected to suffer less from bleeding. In effect, patients will have shorter hospital stays, and less medical bills.
Although the Da Vinci robot costs a small fortune, most large hospitals rush to buy this surgical machine without question. Even with a price tag of $1 million – $2.5 million, the device still managed to sell thousands of units across the United States and Europe. Medical experts believe that these hospitals purchase the machine with the intention of luring in more patients instead of improving patient care. According to these experts, there is no evidence to prove that the outcomes of Da Vinci surgery are significantly better than traditional procedures.
Several complications have been linked to the Da Vinci robot, some of which can cause patient deaths. Such reported complications include organ damage, burns, bowel injuries, internal hemorrhage, vaginal cuff dehiscence, sepsis, peritonitis, and punctured blood vessels. Patients with these complications may need additional surgeries in order to rectify the problems. In some cases, however, the injuries are not immediately apparent, and may not be detected for days or even weeks after the initial Da Vinci procedure.
References:
- davincisurgery.com/da-vinci-surgery/safety-information.php
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Vinci_Surgical_System
- medscape.com/viewarticle/810490
Erika's Da Vinci Surgical System Lawsuit Blog 