There may be surgical patients in Louisiana whose surgery was performed using the da Vinci robotic surgery system. The system is said to have many advantages over traditional laparoscopic surgery. However, there have been a handful of deaths and injuries reported that happened during surgeries using the da Vinci system. Some in the surgical field that believe the deaths and other injuries associated with the da Vinci robotic surgery system are due to doctor negligence.
The system is meant to be used in laparoscopic procedures in order to reduce recovery time, bleeding and the need for patients to use pain medication after surgery. A traditional procedure involves three incisions. With the da Vinci, there are normally two or three more incisions made to insert additional equipment that is usually handled by the surgeon or surgical assistants. The surgeon then controls the system from a computer. The robotic arms perform the surgery under the direction of the surgeon.
Of course, there is some classroom training, some practical training and finally some practical experience required of surgeons prior to using the system in his or her practice. It is then fairly standard in the surgical industry for a surgeon to apply to a hospital for the right to use the equipment for surgeries. Of course, there are risks with any surgery from both equipment and personnel.
The deaths and injuries associated with the da Vinci system have garnered the attention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As they look into the safety of the equipment, others are becoming more convinced that any errors are the product of doctor negligence. As with any other form of doctor negligence, any patient, or family of a deceased patient, that discovers they have been injured as a result of the use of a robotic surgery system such as the da Vinci may want to seek advice and assistance with regard to any exercise of any medical malpractice rights under Louisiana law.
Source: Standard-Examiner, “Ogden doctor: Most robotic surgery woes linked to human error,” Jamie Lampros, April 27, 2013