Surgical Robots Becoming Controversial

Death in patients have provoked health experts to investigate da Vinci surgical robot system, a known advanced medical machine in the United States, media reports say. Ever since it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000, it has been heavy marketed by its manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical. Injured patients accused Intuitive Surgical of failure to notify the public regarding the possible troubles that can be experienced by the patients. Unfortunate incidences, such as puncturing of the organs and death, have left medical experts concerned.

The da Vinci Surgical System has quickly gained prominence in the United States because of the benefits the system provides for adult and pediatric surgical laparoscopic cases. Moreover, the purchase of da Vinci, an expensive equipment, may become less in hospitals because pediatric results from robotic surgery may not be greater than from conventional laparascopic surgery.

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration is prompted to conduct a probe regarding the problems associated with the device. The FDA began a survey of surgeons using the robotic system. The FDA is looking into the issue to determine whether the growing number of injuries reported is simply because more robotic surgeries are being done, or if they are being caused by the machine itself or by the surgeons, who, critics argue, may have been given inadequate training.

The FDA has recommended patients that before deciding to undergo a robotic surgery, they need to talk to their respective doctorsin order to determine if da Vinci is the best surgical procedure for them. Patients should also need to be aware of theelectrical burns caused by the machineand discuss this potential risk to their surgeons.

References:

rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/14/18958967-robotic-surgery-is-high-tech-tour-de-force-but-is-it-safe?lite

news.msn.com/science-technology/is-robotic-surgery-safe

sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130903141212.htm

nydailynews.com/life-style/health/surgical-robot-scrutinized-fda-deaths-nightmares-article-1.

travel.cnn.com/seoul/life/benefits-robot-surgery-exaggerated-critics-say-350439