Legal Pearl

Robot-Assisted Prostate Surgery Case

 

 

  • A man was injured during a robot-assisted prostate surgery. The plaintiff alleged that the physician did not properly repair the tear, leading to a rectourethral fistula, requiring surgery, a temporary ileostomy, and many genitourinary complications.

    The defense argued that a rectal tear can occur even when robotic surgery is properly performed.

    Was the physician at fault?

    (Discussion on next page)

     

    Ann W. Latner, JD, is a freelance writer and attorney based in New York. She was formerly the director of periodicals at the American Pharmacists Association and editor of Pharmacy Times.