da Vinci Lawsuits Blog

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Treating Lung Cancer with Surgery

Individuals, who smoke heavily, is believed to have higher risk of developing lung cancer in the later years. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that start off in one or both lungs; usually in the cells that line the air passages. These abnormal cells can rapidly divide and turn into tumor. However, if the patient undergoes surgical treatment at the early stage of lung cancer, it can be treated.

Lung surgery is a surgical procedure that removes a small portion, large portion or even the whole lung to treat lung cancer. Each type of lung surgery has risks and benefits, but the ultimate goal is to cure your lung cancer. Understanding what each type of lung cancer surgery involves, what it takes to be a good candidate, and what it means for your recovery and your health can help you understand the possible risks of each.

The surgeon and the anesthesiologist will discuss to you the general risks related to the surgery and the general risks related to the anethesia prior the surgery. The following are some of the common and serious risks caused by lung cancer surgery:

Damage to the structure near or in the lungs

Bleeding

Infection

Collapse of the lung or pneumothorax

Risk from general anesthesia

Blood clots

However, there is a well-known robotic lung surgery that is preferred by lung cancer patients due to its innovative way of treatment. Intuitive Surgical, manufacturer of da Vinci robotic system, is faced by a lawsuits, in which an insurance company alleged the manufacturer of hiding their product's serious risks. The FDA has advised potential patients are suggested to consult their respective doctors and gather some information in order to determine if robotic surgery is the best for them.

References:

lungcancer.about.com/od/treatmentoflungcancer/a/lungcancersurg.htm

webmd.com/lung-cancer/lung-surgery-thoracotomy-for-lung-cancer

health.nytimes.com/health/guides/surgery/lung-surgery/

everydayhealth.com/lung-cancer/risks-and-benefits-of-lung-cancer-surgery.aspx

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Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery: Is it Better than Traditional Laparascopic Surgery?

A minimally invasive medical procedure is defined as one that is carried out by entering the body through the skin or through a body cavity or anatomical opening, but with the smallest damage possible to these structures. Laparascopy and robotic surgery are two forms of minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery uses a computer to help surgeon direct precise and accurate movements of instruments that are attached to the robotic arms. The use of robotic surgery has gained popularity to both patients and surgeons since it had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000. Health experts regard robotic surgery to be safer than some forms of surgery. However, all types of surgery carry risk and robotic-assisted surgery is no exemption to that. In fact, robotic surgery became controversial and lawsuits have been piling up in the recent years.

Laparascopic surgery is the ancestor of robotic-assisted surgery. Like robotic surgery, it uses specialized instruments and camera known as the laparascope. And also, it is similar with robotic surgery throughout the process.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed since surgery is specific to each patient, condition and procedure. It is important to talk to your doctor about all treatment options, including the risks and benefits. This information can help you to make the best decision for your situation.

References:

laparoboticsurgery.com/resource-pages-for-links/laparoscopic-versus-robotic-surgery/

fascrs.org/patients/treatments_and_screenings/laparoscopic_surgery/

sciencedaily.com/articles/l/laparoscopic_surgery.htm

sharecare.com/health/surgical-procedures/is-robotic-surgery-safer-traditional

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Men Choose Robotic Prostate Surgery Despite Potential Risks

Despite negative effects, da Vinci remains popular to patients, online media reports. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2011, it has been heavily marketed, offering fewer complications and faster recovery, making it more efficient than traditional open surgery. Da Vinci robotic surgery has a small incision during surgery compared to the size made during traditional prostate surgery. A small cut in the abdomen is made to take out the prostate gland during robotic surgery while the surgeon is sitting at a console controlling the robotic arms. However, robotic prostate surgery may not be an absolute answer to men with prostate cancer. Researchers discovered that 171 men facing prostate cancer surgery, who are having robotic surgery are expected a short stay in the hospital and able to resume with their normal physical activities, including sexual intercourse. Some even think that the benefits offered by da Vinci may be fraudulent. The technology and operating system used in surgical robots may not be absolutely perfect. The surgeon operating the robot from the console may not have tactile feedback while performing the surgery. This lack of feeling requires extra vigilance on the part of the surgeon to protect organs from accidental damage. The movement problems may be phased out by the hospital staff by programming the robotic machine to make smaller movements. Some may find it hard to look for the instruments used in robotic surgeries because some of the equipment is produced by the manufacturer. References:

foxnews.com/health/2012/01/26/mens-hopes-for-robot-prostate-surgery-unrealistic/

ehow.com/list_5901109_disadvantages-robotic-surgery.html

reuters.com/article/2010/04/05/us-robot-surgery-idUSTRE6342YC20100405

nbcnews.com/id/33291388/ns/health-cancer/t/robotic-prostate-surgery-comes-trade-off/#.UhNoU9KoFRx

npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/26/195835806/men-pick-robotic-surgery-for-prostate-cancer-despite-risks

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History of the Development of da Vinci Robots

Science has always been vigilant in watching for new discoveries and developments. Surgical robot may be considered to be the most sophisticated invention in modern times. Robotic surgery had actually been evolving in the span of twenty years although it may sound futuristic to us, online reports say. In 1987, it has been introduced and used for laparascopy surgery, a cholescystecotomy. The robotic mechanism has been mastered and perfected by scientists with time. Da Vinci is far most the popular brand for surgical robots.

Da Vinci robotics is named after Leonardo da Vinci, a famous 15th century inventor, painter, Renaissance man and philosopher, who is also known for advancing the study of human anatomy. The surgeon’s ability is used and boosted with the help of da Vinci surgical system by providing less invasive procedures that is previously needed in major surgeries just as the vivid three-dimensional anatomical accuracy captured by Leonardo da Vinci’s creation.

It was in 1995 that the Intuitive Surgical was founded. Da Vinci surgical system was first released by the Intuitive Surgical in the market in 1999. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved da Vinci surgical system for laparascopic procedures in 2000.

Limitation problems was on experienced by laparoscopy when robotic surgery was beginning to flourish. The combination of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and robotic surgery has sparked idea among many institutions to conquer the limitations of laparascopic surgery.

Da Vinci lawsuits faced by Intuitive have alleged that surgeons with insufficient training inadvertently cut tissue with errant electricity from the robot’s electronic cutting tool, causing major complications.

References:

intuitivesurgical.com/company/history/

roboticsurgeryfdc.com/History.php

allonrobots.com/da-vinci-robot.html

easttnmedicalnews.com/news.php?viewStory=1328