A Florida man has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit, alleging that his wife died after a ‘da Vinci‘ surgical robot procedure.
A ‘da Vinci’ robot procedure utilizes a 4-armed machine activated by a doctor operating a camera, while a surgeon controls the robot’s arms with a joystick and foot pedals. The system, known as “EndoWrist,” replicates a surgeon’s hand movements in real-time, as stated by the University of South Florida Health.
Legal documents obtained by TMZ state that Sandra Sultzer, a Boca Raton native, passed away at 78 in 2022 after a ‘da Vinci’ robot procedure for colon cancer.
According to Sultzer’s husband, Harvey, the robot is designed to make incisions as small as a dime, employing precise movements to minimize blood loss and reduce trauma compared to larger cuts in traditional surgical procedures.
The lawsuit contends that Sandra suffered a thermal injury to her small intestine, leading to perforation and necessitating additional medical procedures. She continued to endure abdominal pain and developed a fever, ultimately succumbing to the injuries in February 2022.
In an FDA investigation from 2009 to 2011, multiple reports suggested that a small rubber sleeve on the end of the metal instrument used to insulate the da Vinci device had cracks. These cracks allowed electricity to escape, resulting in internal burns.
Her husband contends that the burning of her internal organs occurred without the surgical team fully comprehending what was happening at that moment.
The lawsuit alleges that Sandra was not informed of the risks associated with the surgical instrument used, which had higher complication rates than traditional laparoscopic instruments, making her more susceptible to burning.
According to her husband, the product was not designed in a safe way or tested enough to avoid the burn risks.
The lawsuit states that ISI has faced around 93 product liability lawsuits, with patients alleging injuries and, in some instances, death following procedures.
Additionally, thousands of injury and defect reports related to the surgery have been reported.
The manufacturer is being sued for negligence, product liability (including design defect and failure to warn), loss of consortium, and punitive damages, with the lawsuit seeking over $75,000 in compensation.
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