Atlanta mother sues hospital over Da Vinci robotic hysterectomy complications following equipment failure and mid-procedure conversion

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, Button opted for a robotic hysterectomy at Southern Regional Medical Center . The procedure surgically removes the uterus. What a robotic hysterectomy is A robotic hysterectomy is considered the least invasive and quickest for recovery because doctors use the device to make very small incisions in the abdomen. Once inside, the robot’s tiny arms are controlled by the surgeon who is standing feet away. “I wasn’t actu

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t converted to just going straight taking it out through the vagina and we stopped the robot," Dr. Love said. Button said the robot used was the Da Vinci , a robotic surgical system that has been used in millions of various surgical procedures globally. However, Da Vinci and its manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical , are not mentioned or named as a defendant in the lawsuit. From 2016 to 2025, Atlanta News First Investiga

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n’s own medical history for complications. Surgeon describes technical challenges and conversion mid-procedure In cellphone video recorded after the procedure, Dr. Love told Button’s husband about issues during surgery. “Well, what happened was we had some technical challenges and I couldn’t manipulate the uterus the way I wanted to so I couldn’t really get to the blood vessels the way I wanted to so I said uh…we jus

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tes uncovered at least 434 “adverse events” — like death, injury, or malfunctions — reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to any Da Vinci device used in any surgery. At least 49 of those reports specifically involved devices used in hysterectomies. The Da Vinci device has been used in millions of various surgical procedures globally. Manufacturer emphasizes safety record, notes limits of FDA

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database “Patient safety is our highest priority,” an Intuitive Surgical company spokesperson said. “More than 20 million procedures have been performed globally using Da Vinci systems. The safety and effectiveness of our systems are supported by more than 48,000 peer‑reviewed publications, which, in aggregate, demonstrate positive clinical outcomes for patients." The FDA maintains a database that tracks adverse eve

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rned, they started pointing fingers.” OBGYN: robot can be safer, but surgeons must be ready without it Dr. Timothy Cowthorn said his local hospital required him to carry medical malpractice insurance to operate at its facility. Cowthorn is not connected to Button’s case, but the OBGYN just completed his 1,000th robotic hysterectomy. Asked whether the robot adds risk, Dr. Cowthorn said that even if it malfunctioned, h

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e would still have to complete the surgery, so he must be prepared to operate without it. With his experience at a local hospital and his private practice at Greystone, Dr. Cowthorn said the device transformed healthcare. “These cutting instruments, which on the robotic arms are wristed so they can turn like your wrist of your own hand,” he said. “Going to the platform or going to the console where we manipulate thos

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