title: Hemidiaphragm Paralysis after Robotic Prostatectomy: Medical Malpractice or Unforeseeable Event?
abstract: The authors present a case of suspected malpractice linked to the onset of hemidiaphragm paralysis after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The approach to the case is shown from a medico-legal point of view. It is demonstrated how, after a thorough review of the literature, this was not a case of medical malpractice but an unforeseeable event. This paper aims at contributing to the very few reports dealing with the onset of hemidiaphragm paralysis after RARP, thus fostering clinical knowledge of these rare events and meanwhile providing useful data for the medico-legal handling in case of alleged negligence of surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Forensic Medicine Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focardi
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pinchi
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vittori
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Gian-Aristide
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Norelli
mesh_terms: D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects*