Robot enthusiasm questioned amid rise in robotic surgery malfunctions

May 21, 2013

Robot enthusiasm questioned amid rise in robotic surgery malfunctions

Technological advances and 21-century digital devices have done wonders for society. However, their utilization often turns out to be a double-edge sword. They are seen as lifesaving products yet they are deadly when they malfunction.

For cellphones that malfunction, users may simply just face the small and short inconvenience of being out of touch with family and friends. However, for products that are used in life or death situations, a malfunction is much more than a small inconvenience. One example involves the use of robotic devices during surgery.

What is a robotic surgical device?

Robotic surgical devices are essentially computer assisted robots that practitioners use during surgical procedures. They are used to enhance a surgeon's human capabilities and reduce the need for less evasive methods.

During robotic surgery, a tiny video camera is typically attached to a small robotic arm that's inserted inside the patient's body cavity. The surgeon can see inside the patient's body through this camera lens and perform the requisite surgery via instruments located on the robotic arm.

The latest and greatest robotic arm is a million dollar device called the da Vinci and is manufactured by Intuitive Surgical Inc. The da Vinci was released in 2000 and since then has been used in thousands of surgeries including prostate or gallbladder removal, heart value repairs, organ transplants, and hysterectomies. Over 360,000 robotic surgeries were performed in 2012, up from 114,000 performed just three years earlier.

Scrutiny

However, the device has come under scrutiny after the FDA examined various routine surgeries performed with the device. Specifically, the FDA found a rise in the number of malfunctions with these surgical robots.

In one instance, the da Vinci failed to release its grasp of a patient's tissue during colorectal surgery. A complete system shutdown needed to be done to force open the clutch of the robotic hand.

The robot was also reported to have assaulted a patient in another instance. The robotic arm kept hitting a patient in the face during hysterectomy surgery. As a result, the doctor needed to switch to manual surgical methods.
Reasons for the rise in robotic surgery malfunctions

Some attribute the rise in incidents to the lack of appropriate training healthcare personnel receive on the devices. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2010 reveals that physicians need to perform about 150 robotic surgical procedures before being adequately trained. However, this recommendation is not mandated and there is no indication that physicians have a set number of hours with the devices before using them on patients.

Given the expected increase in these robotic surgeries this year, it's evident more transparency is needed. One hospital has plans to perform over 1200 robotic surgeries in 2013, up from 179 from several years ago.

Article provided by Trevett, Cristo, Salzer & Andolina P.C
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