BOCA RATON, Fla. – A Florida woman’s tragic death has led to a lawsuit against Intuitive Surgical Inc., the maker of a surgical robot, after the robot allegedly caused fatal injuries during cancer surgery, according to court documents filed by her husband on Tuesday.
Sandra Sultzer, who was battling colon cancer, underwent surgery at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in 2021. The procedure, which utilized a da Vinci robotic system, resulted in a burn that caused a tear in her small intestines, the lawsuit obtained by Huffington Post stated.
The lawsuit specifically named Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISI) as the defendant, alleging negligence and product liability in the case. The hospital and staff were not named as defendants in the civil case.
According to the complaint, the burn sustained during surgery led to additional procedures for Sultzer, who also experienced subsequent medical issues, including abdominal pain and fever. The lawsuit also claimed that the company was aware of insulation issues with the da Vinci system, which could result in electricity leakage into the patient’s body, but failed to inform the hospital and staff.
Tragically, Sultzer passed away in February 2022, with the lawsuit attributing her death to the injuries caused by the da Vinci device. The lawsuit further alleged that Intuitive Surgical had received numerous reports of dangerous injuries, including internal organ burns, allegedly caused by the robot’s electrical discharge.
The legal proceedings also revealed that Intuitive Surgical has faced similar liability lawsuits across the United States, with trial dates scheduled for this year. Furthermore, the lawsuit accused the company of pressuring hospitals and physicians to purchase and use the robot.
Reports from NBC News in 2018 highlighted that Intuitive Surgical offers a da Vinci training program, but surgeons were not legally required to complete it, raising questions about the extent of the company’s accountability in ensuring safe usage of its technology.
The heartbreaking case underscores the potential risks and impact of technological advancements in the medical field, sparking concerns and calls for greater transparency and accountability from manufacturers of robotic surgical systems.