Surgical Device Can Lead to Unexpected Problems

March 2006

Laparoscopic surgery is generally a minimally invasive form of surgery performed on at least 4.4 million Americans per year. But, this type of surgery can lead to serious injuries easily preventable with proper detection devices.

The injuries occur when an electric current is given off from the wand-like tool used in laparoscopic procedures including gynecological surgeries, gall bladder removals, and gastric bypasses. The stray current can burn holes in other parts of the body and not be known for several days or weeks, until infections or other symptoms occur. A gynecologist who frequently teaches on the complications of laparoscopy estimates 100 deaths and 1,000 injuries annually can be associated with the surgical device.

According to safety advocates, the risk of burns can be reduced with inexpensive scanning devices used before surgery that test the electrical wands for stray currents. In addition, wands with monitoring systems that shut down automatically if power is leaking cost less than $1,000. Quite a small price to pay when compared to the cost of follow-up surgeries and malpractice claims.

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