Instrument malfunction

Robotic instrument malfunctions may adversely affect clinical outcomes. Depending on the specific type, severity, and timing, instrument malfunctions may increase operative costs, cause operating room delays, and even lead to unintended patient injury. There are two major types of instrument malfunctions: mechanical, which refers to a physical defect in an instrument that compromises its normal range of motion and/or function, and electrical, which refers to an insulation defect in an instrument that causes an electrical current to deviate from its intended course. As instrument malfunctions may occur at any point during an operation, it is critical that the surgeon take preventative measures to minimize instrument malfunctions, understand the risk factors associated with instrument malfunctions, maintain vigilance for diagnosing instrument malfunctions, and know how to treat instrument malfunctions when they occur.