RGCIRC creates history with India’s first-ever telesurgery in cancer care

New Delhi: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) has made history by performing India’s first-ever telesurgery in cancer care.

This groundbreaking procedure, which represents a monumental leap in medical technology, ensures precision and safety while overcoming geographical barriers.

Led by Dr Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director of RGCIRC and Chief of Genital Urinary Oncology, the expert team, including Dr. Amitabh Singh and Dr. Ashish, successfully performed a Radical Cysto-Prostatectomy with Bilateral Lymph Nodes Removal. The surgery, which traditionally took up to three hours in open surgery, was flawlessly completed in just one hour and forty-five minutes, showcasing the efficiency, reliability and safety of telesurgery. This surgery was conducted from SSI Office Udyog Vihar, Gurugram using SSI Mantra Robot, an Indian Robot.

Dr Sudhir Srivastava, CEO of SSI and his team did all the technical part – both the vision of operative field and movement of the instrument at operating site were like one is operating in operation theatre while the patient (54-year) was at RGCIRC, Rohini Centre, Delhi who was suffering from cancer of urinary bladder.

“Performing this surgery remotely from SSI Office, Udyog Vihar, Gurugram while the patient was at RGCIRC demonstrated the immense potential of telesurgery,” stated Dr Rawal. “We achieved flawless results, underscoring the safety and precision of this advanced technology. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to innovative cancer care.”

The innovative telesurgery approach significantly improves complex surgical procedures, especially in cancer treatment, leading to better outcomes and quicker patient recovery. It makes high-quality surgical care accessible to patients in remote areas, reducing the need for extensive travel and associated costs. The patient’s condition is currently stable, and they are expected to be discharged within the week.

“RGCIRC has always been at the forefront of utilizing advanced technology to enhance cancer care,” said Mr D.S. Negi, CEO of RGCIRC. “Our adoption of many firsts in the country, including this historic telesurgery, exemplifies our unwavering commitment to providing the best possible outcomes for our patients. We are proud of Dr Rawal and his exceptional team for their dedication and expertise. With this advancement, we are confident that we will advance our efforts further to fight against cancer.”

“With tele-surgery capabilities, geographical barriers are no longer obstacles to accessing specialized surgical interventions,” added Dr. Rawal, who has performed over 5,000 robotic surgeries, the highest by any cancer surgeon in India. “Patients in remote locations can now benefit from high-quality care without the need for extensive travel, enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide.”

Since 2018, RGCIRC has been at the forefront of making an Indian Robot with Dr. Srivastava and his team (SSI), continually innovating and improving surgical outcomes. The success of this telesurgery not only marks a historic moment for RGCIRC but also signifies a significant advancement in the field of robotic-assisted surgery. It paves the way for future developments in smaller, more agile robotic systems equipped with advanced functionalities such as laser technology and integrated energy devices. These innovations promise to further enhance surgical precision and expand the scope of minimally invasive procedures.

Telesurgery will open the door of tele proctoring where an experience surgeon can train surgeons in class C and B cities as Indian Robot is very affordable and has all the reasons to go all over the country.

“Looking ahead, we envision even more advanced versions of our robotic systems,” expressed Dr. Rawal. “These systems will be more compact, versatile, and equipped with cutting-edge technologies, setting new benchmarks in surgical excellence.”