Electrocautery-associated vascular injury during robotic-assisted surgery Journal Article


Authors: Cormier, B.; Nezhat, F.; Sternchos, J.; Sonoda, Y.; Leitao, M. M. Jr
Article Title: Electrocautery-associated vascular injury during robotic-assisted surgery
Abstract: The robotic surgical platform is increasingly used in gynecology and, similar to laparoscopy, it has risks of electrocautery-associated injury. We present three cases of injury caused by failures of the monopolar scissors' insulating sheath while coagulation and cutting currents were set at 35 W. In case 1, an external iliac vein injury required blood transfusion and emergent laparotomy. In case 2, a full-thickness external iliac artery injury was repaired robotically. In case 3, a partial-thickness external iliac artery injury also was repaired robotically. Unintended electrosurgical arcs can occur from monopolar instruments. Insulation failure is a common finding in this type of injury. Surgeons should avoid excessive instrument collisions and should change the monopolar scissors' insulating sheath if there are any concerns of a defect in its integrity.
Keywords: adult; aged; middle aged; case report; methodology; hysterectomy; lymph node dissection; laparotomy; lymph node excision; instrumentation; blood vessel injury; robotics; injury; iliac vein; iliac artery; electrocoagulation; salpingectomy; vascular system injuries
Journal Title: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume: 120
Issue: 2 Pt. 2
ISSN: 0029-7844
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2012-08-01
Start Page: 491
End Page: 493
Language: English
PUBMED: 22825276
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 2 November 2012" - "Source: Scopus"
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Yukio Sonoda
    472 Sonoda
  2. Mario Leitao
    575 Leitao