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Malfunction of the da Vinci robotic system in urology
Author(s) -
Chen ChengChe,
Ou YenChuan,
Yang ChengKuang,
Chiu KunYuan,
Wang ShianShiang,
Su ChungKuang,
Ho HaoChung,
Cheng ChenLi,
Chen ChuanShu,
Lee JianRi,
Chen WenMin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2012.03010.x
Subject(s) - medicine , da vinci surgical system , pyeloplasty , nephrectomy , prostatectomy , surgery , laparoscopy , robotic surgery , dissection (medical) , general surgery , urinary system , prostate , kidney , cancer , hydronephrosis , endocrinology
Objectives: To analyze the incidence of malfunction of the da Vinci robotic system in a single center and to provide potential solutions. Methods: A total of 400 patients underwent da Vinci robotic urological surgery at Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan, from December 2005 to April 2011. Episodes of malfunction of the robotic system were analyzed by period of operation, type of procedure, type of malfunction and management of the event. Results: Overall, 14 cases of malfunction occurred (3.5% of the entire series). Among them, five (1.25%) occurred before the surgery and nine (2.25%) intraoperatively. Operative procedures included radical prostatectomy, bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, dismembered pyeloplasty, partial nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy, and radical and partial cystectomies. Areas of malfunctions included the robotic arm system and joint (11/14), optical system (1/14), power system and connector (1/14), endoscopic instrument (1/14), and software (1/14). In 10 cases, the failure was recoverable, whereas in four cases there was a critical failure, requiring a conversion to standard laparoscopy in three of them, and the rescheduling of the surgery in one case. Conclusions: The da Vinci robotic system is extremely reliable for use in urology. Malfunction is rare and the risk of critical failure is very low. Managing mechanical failure before or during the surgery is the key to maintaining the safety of patients undergoing robotic surgical procedures.