Remote robotic surgery performed from Delhi on patient in Ahmedabad

In a major medical milestone, a complex long-distance tele-robotic surgery was successfully performed on a patient at Kaizen Hospital in Ahmedabad, while the lead surgeon operated remotely from New Delhi.

The advanced gastrointestinal procedure was carried out using a robotic surgical platform, marking the first-ever use of telerobotic surgery in Gujarat. The operation was conducted over a secure, high-speed digital network, ensuring seamless real-time data transmission between the two cities nearly 1,000 kilometres apart.

Doctors said the surgery was completed smoothly without complications, and the patient was discharged in stable condition within 24 hours.

Dr. Sanjiv Haribhakti, GI and Robotic Surgeon, Kaizen Hospital, says. "The surgery we performed is called tele-robotic surgery. It involves robotic surgery, but the surgeon operates from a distant location. I carried out this procedure while sitting in Delhi, nearly 1,000 kilometres away. From there, I controlled the entire surgery remotely. There is a surgical team present at the patient’s location and a technology team coordinating from here. Connectivity between both centres is thoroughly checked before proceeding. The entire surgery was very smooth, safe, and highly successful. Our patient was discharged within 24 hours and went home."

The technology has already enabled more than 120 tele-robotic surgeries across the country, connecting nearly 40 medical centres for remote procedures. Medical experts say tele-robotic surgery highly reduces travel-related risks for patients and surgeons, minimises delays in accessing specialised care, and helps cut overall treatment costs.