In January 2014, the results of a study by D. Ramzy et al. titled “Three hundred robotic-assisted mitral valve repairs: the Cedars-Sinai experience.” in Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery that evaluated the relative safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted surgery for the repair of the heart’s mitral valve.

The surgeries evaluated in this study were 300 consecutive ones performed between June 2005 and October 2012 at a single center.  The 300 patients were divided into two groups based on the time of surgery, to determine the learning curve of surgeons at Cedars-Sinai.  There were 120 patients in the first, “initial” cohort, and 180 patients in the second, “recent” group.

Doctors write “Overall, 8 patients (2.7%) required subsequent mitral valve replacement via a median sternotomy” and “One patient in each group had mitral valve re-repair through a right mini-thoracotomy, and 1 patient in the first group required a mitral valve replacement via a mini-thoracotomy during the original procedure.”

The team continues “Follow-up echocardiography for the last 180 patients from 1 month to more than 1 year showed no/trace mitral regurgitation in 64.6% of patients and mild mitral regurgitation in 23.1% of patients. Seven patients (10.8%) had moderate mitral regurgitation, and 1 patient (1.5%) had severe mitral regurgitation.”  That is, at least about 35% of patients faced mitral regurgitation after robot-assisted surgery — surgery that was intended to close the mitral valve failed and blood was allowed to flow through in the opposite direction (regurgitation).

Due to the fact that a high rate of complications is associated with robotic-assisted surgery, and manufacturers such as Da Vinci have failed to warn patients and doctors and require (not merely “recommend”) training before using their devices in a clinical setting, a number of robotic-assisted surgery lawsuits have been filed.

If you or a loved one underwent robotic-assisted surgery and suffered complications as a result, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your injuries.  For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of surgical robots lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.  Call today and see how we can help.

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