Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri
At The Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis da Vinci Robotic Surgery lawyers know that technology is important in the medical field, and when it works properly, it can assist in providing surgeons with more precision with minimally invasive surgeries and patients with reduced recovery times.
As the frequency of robotic surgeries grows, so do complaints of system malfunctions and reports of patient injuries, resulting in lawsuits against the industry’s leading manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., the maker of the da Vinci robotic surgery system.
If you have had surgery with the assistance of the da Vinci system in Missouri and suffered an injury or the loss of a loved one as a result, our St. Louis medical malpractice attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue a claim for the damages you have suffered.
What is the da Vinci Surgical System Used For?
The da Vinci Surgical System is used to assist surgeons in the following procedures:
- Cardiac Surgery:Mitral valve repair, and removal of portions of the lung due to cancer.
- Colorectal Procedures
- Gynecology:Hysterectomies and myomectomies.
- Hernia Repair
- Thoracic Surgery: Lobe removals for thyroid glands, lungs, or liver.
- Urology Surgeries: Prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer surgeries.
Because of the complications associated with the da Vinci robotic surgery devices, the company has issued multiple recalls and has been forced to make some modifications along the way following an increase in medical device reports to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
How are Patients Being Injured by Robotic Surgery Systems?
Litigation against Intuitive has stemmed from surgery patients complaining of injuries incurred because of malfunctions causing leaks of electrical currents and arcing, which is when sparks from a surgical instrument land in a patient’s body, causing burns.
Other injuries associated with the da Vinci system have included:
- Bleeding, sometimes in large amounts requiring transfusion.
- Breathing problems.
- Conversion to open or hand-assisted surgery, often requiring an additional, larger incision.
- Device malfunction or failure, which leads to serious injury or requires an alternative surgical approach.
- Gas pain.
- Gas/air trapped beneath the skin.
- Inadvertent injury to surrounding organs, including cuts, tears, punctures, or burns.
- Infection
- Internal scarring.
- Longer operation and anesthesia times.
- Reactions to anesthesia or other medications.
- Shoulder pain.
- Temporary pain/nerve injury.
Some of these complications can be severe, requiring additional surgical procedures to correct, which can lead to increased complications, or even result in death.
If you have suffered a surgical injury because of the da Vinci system, or lost a loved one because of its use during surgery, contact our St. Louis medical malpractice attorney today to review your case by calling (314) 370-8173 or online to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your unique case. contact personal injury lawyers in St. Louis for more legal assistance.