What happens if there is a malfunction in the da Vinci System?
Recent studies show that the rate of robot malfunction is low, about 1%-4% of the time. In the unlikely event of malfunction, or if the surgeon feels that it is not safe to continue with the robot, the da Vinci System will be withdrawn and the surgery can proceed either via standard laparoscopy or via traditional open radical prostatectomy. The instruments and supplies necessary are kept on hand such that conversion, if necessary, can occur seamlessly.
