A Florida woman tragically lost her life after a surgical robot allegedly burned a hole in her intestine during a routine operation. The incident has sparked a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by her grieving husband, Harvey Sultzer, who seeks justice for his late wife, Sandra Sultzer.
The lawsuit, filed on February 6, alleges that Sandra suffered severe health complications following a da Vinci surgical robot procedure at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital. The da Vinci robot, a widely used multi-armed, remote-controlled device manufactured by ISI, was employed during the surgery.
Sandra’s procedure, aimed at treating her colon cancer, involved the use of the da Vinci robot’s advanced electrosurgical instruments, known as “EndoWrist,” which mimic a surgeon’s hand movements in real time. Tragically, it was during this operation that Sandra sustained a thermal injury to her small intestine, leading to perforation and necessitating further medical intervention. Despite undergoing additional procedures to address the injury she sustained in 2021, Sandra’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She experienced excruciating abdominal pain and developed a persistent fever. Ultimately, Sandra succumbed to her injuries in February 2022, leaving her family devastated and seeking answers.
The lawsuit alleges that Sandra was not adequately informed of the risks associated with the surgical instrument used during her procedure. Shockingly, it claims that the da Vinci robot had higher complication rates compared to traditional laparoscopic instruments, making patients more susceptible to burning injuries.
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Disturbingly, this is not an isolated incident. The lawsuit reveals that ISI, the manufacturer of the da Vinci robot, has faced approximately 93 product liability lawsuits, with patients alleging injuries and, in some cases, death following procedures involving the device. Furthermore, thousands of injury and defect reports related to the surgery have been documented.
The manufacturer now faces a lawsuit seeking over $75,000 in damages, including charges of negligence, product liability, design defect, failure to warn, loss of consortium, and punitive damages.
As the medical community continues to embrace technological advancements in surgical procedures, it is imperative that patient safety remains at the forefront. The tragic loss of Sandra Sultzer highlights the potential risks associated with these cutting-edge technologies must be thoroughly understood and communicated to patients.
This lawsuit underscores the urgent need for increased transparency, accountability, and awareness surrounding the use of surgical robots. Only through such measures can we ensure that future patients are protected from the devastating consequences witnessed in this heartbreaking case.