da Vinci Surgery Risks Often Not Included in Brochures for Robotic Surgical Machines

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted July 23, 2012

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UPDATE 5/14/2015: Saiontz & Kirk is no longer accepting new clients for da Vinci Surgical Robot Lawsuits
The contents of this page are provided for informational purposes only

While hundreds of hospitals are putting out brochures and promotional websites that herald the benefits of da Vinci robotic surgery, little information is being provided about the risk associated with these complex machines, the costs of robotic surgery and the outcomes compared to alternative surgical procedures.

▸ da Vinci Surgery Risks and Complications

The robotic surgery lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individual throughout the United States who are pursuing a product liability lawsuit after experiencing problems following da Vinci surgery. Most clients describe glossy brochures, websites and other materials provided by their doctor or hospital, but few were ever provided any information about the potential risks of da Vinci robotic surgery.

As an example, this da Vinci hysterectomy brochure from York Hospital in Pennsylvania promotes robotic surgery without any information about the potential risks or costs of the procedure, instead relying on sales pitches that describe the system as “leading-edge technology” and providing surgeons with “high definition 3D vision” that allows the surgeon to perform complex procedures through a few tiny openings.

Often these brochures and websites provided by hospitals contain unedited information that comes straight from the manufacturer of the da Vinci robotic machine, featuring stock images and text provided as part of the marketing package by Intuitive Surgical.

According to a study published this month in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, this is common practice and less than 4% of hospitals that are promoting these procedures provide information on their websites about da Vinci surgery risks, costs and alternative surgical options.

da Vinci Surgery Lawsuits

Unfortunately, this “innovative” and “state-of-the-art surgical system” does come with important risks that patients and the medical community should be adequately warned about.

While studies suggest that it takes surgeons hundreds of procedures before they are fully trained and avoid exposing patients to a higher rate of complications, the manufacturer sells the device without providing adequate training, instructions or warnings.

In addition, there are serious and potentially life-threatening da Vinci surgery risks that individuals should be aware of, including the possibility that the monopolar energy used by the machine may “arc” and cause internal burns, tears and other complications.

As a result of the manufacturers failure to provide accurate and complete information about the risks associated with their robotic surgery machine and failure to properly and sufficiently train surgeons on use of the robot, financial compensation may be available through a da Vinci surgery lawsuit for individuals who have experienced:

  • Surgical Burns
  • Tears or Perforation
  • Conversion of the Robotic Surgery to an Open Procedure Due to Complications
  • Sudden Death Following da Vinci Surgery

UPDATE 5/14/2015: Saiontz & Kirk is no longer accepting new clients for da Vinci Surgical Robot Lawsuits
The contents of this page are provided for informational purposes only

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