AIIMS Delhi begins Robotic Surgery for intricate procedures

AIIMS Delhi has installed a state-of-the-art surgical robot in its department of surgical disciplines, making it one of the first general surgery units in a government hospital in India to acquire such cutting-edge technology. The surgical robot allows for a magnified, three-dimensional view of the operative field and offers unparalleled dexterity through robotic arms, enabling surgeons to perform intricate procedures with precision.

Dr Hemang Bhattacharjee, professor of surgery at AIIMS, said “The initiative to incorporate robotic surgery into its general surgery department is a strategic move to elevate the standard of care provided in a government healthcare setting.” He added

The technology is particularly advantageous for surgeries requiring meticulous dissection and suturing in confined anatomical spaces.

Dr Bhattacharjee said the introduction of robotic surgery underscores AIIMS’s commitment to enhancing patient care, enabling the execution of complex procedures with unmatched precision, and keeping pace with global advancements in medical technology.

“For example, complex colorectal surgeries, esophagectomies, and pancreatic surgeries that were traditionally challenging due to their invasive nature can now be performed with reduced complications,  shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times,” he said.

While private hospitals in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai have embraced robotic systems in specialties such as urology and gynaecology over the last decade, its adoption in government hospitals, especially for general surgery, has been relatively limited, Dr Bhattacharjee said.