Robots performing surgery sounds like something out of the future, right? Well it’s something of the present, and in fact quite prevalent.

Robotic assisted surgery in gynecologic procedures has risen in the past couple of years; for example, robotic removal of ovaries rose from 3.5% in 2009 to 15% in 2012.

But in a recent study, published online in Obstetrics & Gynecology, of more than 87,000 operations, it was found that complications during robotic surgeries for the removal of ovaries was 3.4%, compared to 2.1% of conventional surgery. They have found an increase in complications in other surgical procedures involving robotic assistance, as well.

There also appeared to be a major price difference between robotic-assisted and traditional surgery. The study found that the removal of ovaries with the help of robots costs an average of $2,504 more than that of conventional surgery.

Director of gynecological oncology (cancer of the female reproductive organs) at Columbia University Medical Center Dr. Jason D. Wright stated that “there’s no proven benefit to robotic surgery.”

So if it is not necessarily better than conventional surgery and also costs significantly more, the question that comes up is: Why do doctors perform surgeries using robotic assistance? And why has it seen a rise in the last couple years?

First off, what is “robotic” surgery?

In robotic-assisted surgery–or sometimes called “computer-assisted” surgery–the surgeon uses different types of remotes to control the movement of a robotic arm. It is purposefully used in minimally invasive surgery and open surgery (organs exposed directly to air)–particularly in cardiothoracic procedures (surgery of the heart and lungs). The main objective of these devices is to allow for more precision and it reduces the amount of damage done to the tissue operated on.

But, although there are particular reasons surgeons turn to robotic-assisted surgery, it does not seem to provide much benefit for gynecological cases.

In this case, maybe our vision for a future with robots performing surgery really will have to remain a thing for the future.

da Vinci Robotic Surgery

A popular brand of robotic surgeries is the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. Many patients have suffered complications from da Vinci robotic surgery.

If you have suffered a robotic surgery side effect, you may be entitled to compensation. Click here for a free case evaluation.

The post What Every Woman Should Know Before Undergoing Robotic Surgery appeared first on Citizens Report.

Also known as keyhole surgery, laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique wherein doctors do not have to make a single, large incision in the patient. Instead, several small “port” incisions are made. Through these ports a camera is inserted, giving the doctor the ability to see what’s going on in the patient’s insides. Other surgical instruments are then inserted through the ports, and thus begins the surgical procedure.

One such instrument is the cautery pen. It is used to cut through small tissue or to cause small blood vessels to stop bleeding. Cautery pens use a technology called electrocautery, where a metal probe is heated up by an electric current. Through heat conduction, the metal probe causes body tissue to be cut or to coagulate, depending on the setting being used by the doctor.

Brandi is not the only patient who has been injured by electrocautery. Additionally, many patients have filed lawsuits after being injured by robotic surgery. The da Vinci Robotic Surgeon is one such surgical system that has come under fire.The electrocurrent the da Vinci system uses has been known to cause severe damage by burning, tearing, and perforating the organs of its patients. If these injuries go undetected during the original surgery, they can cause internal bleeding and pain, requiring another surgery to prevent any fatal accident.

For those that have been hurt by robotic surgery, compensation for medical bills is available. Certain lawyers are offering free case evaluations to those that have been hurt.

If you are one of the many who have been injured, click here for your free, no obligation case review.

Click here to learn more about the side effects of da Vinci Robotic Surgery, as well as the lawsuit settlements victims receive for their injuries.

Would you like to read another article on da Vinci Robotic surgery risks?

To learn about other drug side effects, their subsequent lawsuits and settlements, as well as other personal injury cases, CLICK HERE.

The post What You Should Know Before Going Under appeared first on Citizens Report.

To be fair, these robots are not sentient beings. They do not think or feel. Technically speaking, a doctor still performs the surgery, the robot is used merely as a tool in the operation. One such robot is the da Vinci Surgical System.

The surgical system allows for operations to be performed through just a small number of incisions. The robotic system displays a magnified 3D and HD vision system to the doctors. The robot’s many tiny wristed instruments bend and rotate more than a human wrist can. The da Vinci manufacturers claim that all of this allows for surgeons to operate on patients with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity, and control.

What happens, though, in rare cases when the robot malfunctions?

Injuries happen. The da Vinci Surgical System utilizes electrosurgery – the application of a high-frequency electric current to biological tissue as a means to cut, dry, or destroy it. The electrocurrent the da Vinci system uses has been known to cause severe damage by tearing into patients’ bowels. Patients are also at risk for burns, tears, and perforations of organs. If these injuries go undetected during the original surgery, they can cause internal bleeding and pain, requiring another surgery to prevent any fatal accident.

Patients should thoroughly discuss all options with their doctor before undergoing robotic surgery.

Those who’ve already undergone the surgery and who had complications requiring an additional surgery may be entitled to compensation. Those patients should request a free, no obligation legal case evaluation here.

Click here to learn more about the side effects of da Vinci Robotic Surgery, as well as the lawsuit settlements victims receive for their injuries.

Would you like to read another article on da Vinci robotic laparoscopic surgery? The article also contains info on the injury lawsuit.

To learn about other drug side effects, their subsequent lawsuits and settlements, as well as other personal injury cases, CLICK HERE.

The post Technology Advances, But Risks Remain appeared first on Citizens Report.