Robotic surgery – A game-changer in Indian healthcare

India is rapidly emerging as a major player in the field of healthcare, and robotic surgery is one area where the country is making significant strides. In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward the adoption of robotic surgery in India, with hospitals across the country investing in state-of-the-art robotic systems to provide patients with the latest in surgical technology.

Robotic-assisted surgeries (RAS) are certainly a big surgical revolution in the medical world. Moving from the old days of open and laparoscopic surgeries, specialized surgeons around the world are performing complex operations using robotic-assisted surgeries for better results, less bleeding, fewer complications, and less pain.

According to a report by Research and Markets, the Indian robotic surgery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.93 percent from 2017 to 2023. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including an increasing number of surgeries being performed in India, rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries, and a growing awareness of the benefits of robotic surgery among patients and healthcare professionals.

Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, recently launched the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system to perform complex surgical procedures on patients with greater accuracy. It offers numerous advantages over traditional open surgeries. Developed by Intuitive Surgical, the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical is the most widely used robotic surgical system in India. The system is currently used in over 70 hospitals across the country, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years. According to Intuitive Surgical, over 200,000 Da Vinci surgeries have been performed in India since the system was introduced in 2002.

Robot-assisted surgeries
Somewhat misunderstood by the general population, robotic surgery does not mean a robot will operate on the patient. The surgeon controls control mechanical arms placed over the patient on the operating table using a console, which gives the doctor a clear, enlarged and three-dimensional view of the operating field. This surgery gives the surgeon greater flexibility and room for surgical procedures, which would be impossible otherwise.

One of the reasons for the popularity of robotic surgery in India is the high level of precision and accuracy it provides. A study conducted by the Asian Hospital and Healthcare Management found that robotic surgery resulted in a 60-percent reduction in blood loss and a 50-percent reduction in the length of hospital stays compared to traditional surgery.

RAS offers a multitude of advantages to both the patient and the doctor. For example, in a hernia treatment, despite placing a mesh, using open and laparoscopic surgeries, surgeons are unable to close the defects properly, which results in recurrence of the hernia. With robotics, doctors can stitch and close the defects properly without damaging the nearby tissues and blood vessels.

Further, robotic arms that perform surgical operations have greater flexibility and dexterity as compared to a human wrist. Therefore, the damage to nearby organs is non-existent. Similar is the case with blood loss as with precise surgical movements of the robotic arms, controlled by a trained and expert surgeon, there is no damage to nearby veins and blood vessels.

Since robotic surgeries require fewer access points, it also reduces the duration of hospitalization a patient requires post surgery. Overall, the benefits that both the patient and the doctor gain from robotic surgery are immense.

RAS is the future
Robotic-assisted surgeries are slated to rewrite the way surgeries are performed. With the explosion of technology and the surgical requirements, RAS is expected to cover most of the surgical procedures that are being performed using open and laparoscopic approaches.

Doctors are already pioneering robotic surgeries for complex hernia and bariatric surgery but as the technology matures, most of the surgeries are expected to be performed using robotic assistance. In conclusion, robotic surgery is a game-changer in Indian healthcare. With its many benefits, including increased precision, reduced blood loss, and shorter hospital stays, it has the potential to revolutionize the way surgeries are performed in India. As the technology continues to improve and become more widely available, it is likely to become an increasingly important tool in the fight against disease and illness in India.