Adverse Robot Surgery Events

Like any machine, the da Vinci Surgical System may malfunction. Intuitive Surgical reports that the most common problem with the da Vinci involves instrument cable breaks. [1] When a cable breaks, the robot’s equipment is rendered non-functional, but it can be replaced quickly. Another problem that can occur is when the da Vinci’s multiple arms hit against each other like sword fighting. [1] However, these issues are not as severe as what is archived in the Food and Drug Administration’s “adverse event” database.

According to the database, an arm jumped and stabbed a patient’s artery during a hysterectomy, although the surgeon was able to regain control. [1] Another incident involved one of the robot’s instruments not articulating correctly, and the surgery had to be converted to the open technique, which is traditional surgery with a large incision. A patient had been hit in the face with one of the system’s robotic arms, and that surgery had to be converted to open procedure as well. [1]

Submissions to the FDA database are only based on what has been voluntarily reported. [1]

The main disadvantage to robotic surgery is the lack of tactile feel. Because surgeons are operating using robotic limbs, they can’t feel the texture of their patients’ organs and lose the sensory feedback upon which they rely. This may cause surgeons to accidentally injure patients. [2]

Some physicians believe that the da Vinci is no better than a human. “There's never been a study showing clinical superiority,” says Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. [3] Chief medical adviser to Intuitive Surgical, Dr. Myriam Curet, states, “I'm not anti-robot, but for most of the operations where robotic surgery is used, there's no benefit to the patient. More technology doesn't necessarily mean better quality healthcare.” [2]

Sources:

[1] Greenberg, H. (2013, March). “What Happens When the Surgical Robot Malfunctions?” Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/100565260

[2] Glass, N., & Knight, M. (2013, August 5). Would you have surgery at the hands of a robot? CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/02/tech/da-vinci-robot-surgery/index.html

[3] Dance, A. (2011, October 17). Robotic surgery grows, but so do questions. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/17/health/la-he-robotic-surgery-20111017