The Da Vinci surgical robot, an innovative surgical machine produced by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., has allegedly been associated with more than a few serious and lethal adverse effects. As a matter of fact, many Da Vinci patients in the United States and abroad have submitted complaints concerning the surgical machine. The amount of such criticisms has gradually been increasing from the time when the robotic system was first presented to the public. Intuitive Surgical vehemently denies that something is wrong with the Da Vinci surgical system. Growing evidence, however, shows that the Da Vinci surgical system does have shortfalls that might possibly lead to botched procedures and permanent damages.
The Da Vinci surgical robot was presented to the United States in the year 2000. Since its market approval, the surgical machine has been used in various complex operations, such as hysterectomies, gastric bypass surgeries, prostate removal surgery, heart surgeries, bladder removal surgery, and surgery for thyroid cancer. The company shows off the surgical system’s ability to carry out such surgical procedures in a minimally invasive approach. According to Intuitive, the Da Vinci system operates with minor incisions. Therefore, patients are projected to bleed less during surgery. Hence, their hospital stays will be shorter, and the medical bills will be reduced. While the Da Vinci surgical system is extremely expensive, most hospitals still rush to obtain this machine. In fact, the company, which costs $1 million – $2.5 million, was still be able to to sell thousands of units across the United States and Europe. According to medical experts, these hospitals are only purchasing the machine in order to lure in more patients instead of actually enhancing patient care. According to them, there is no sufficient evidence to show that the results of Da Vinci surgery are considerably superior to manual procedures.
Numerous problems have been associated with the Da Vinci surgical system, some of which may lead to patient deaths. Organ damage, burns, bowel injuries, internal hemorrhage, vaginal cuff dehiscence, sepsis, peritonitis, and punctured blood vessels, are among the reported complications of Da Vinci procedures. Patients showing symptoms of said complications may require further procedures to correct the problems. In certain circumstances, however, the damages may not be apparent, and will not show for days or even months after the initial procedure.
References:
The Da Vinci surgical robot was presented to the United States in the year 2000. Since its market approval, the surgical machine has been used in various complex operations, such as hysterectomies, gastric bypass surgeries, prostate removal surgery, heart surgeries, bladder removal surgery, and surgery for thyroid cancer. The company shows off the surgical system’s ability to carry out such surgical procedures in a minimally invasive approach. According to Intuitive, the Da Vinci system operates with minor incisions. Therefore, patients are projected to bleed less during surgery. Hence, their hospital stays will be shorter, and the medical bills will be reduced. While the Da Vinci surgical system is extremely expensive, most hospitals still rush to obtain this machine. In fact, the company, which costs $1 million – $2.5 million, was still be able to to sell thousands of units across the United States and Europe. According to medical experts, these hospitals are only purchasing the machine in order to lure in more patients instead of actually enhancing patient care. According to them, there is no sufficient evidence to show that the results of Da Vinci surgery are considerably superior to manual procedures.
Numerous problems have been associated with the Da Vinci surgical system, some of which may lead to patient deaths. Organ damage, burns, bowel injuries, internal hemorrhage, vaginal cuff dehiscence, sepsis, peritonitis, and punctured blood vessels, are among the reported complications of Da Vinci procedures. Patients showing symptoms of said complications may require further procedures to correct the problems. In certain circumstances, however, the damages may not be apparent, and will not show for days or even months after the initial procedure.
References:
- davincisurgery.com/da-vinci-surgery/safety-information.php
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da_Vinci_Surgical_System
- medscape.com/viewarticle/810490
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