IGIMS doctors to perform 3 robotic surgeries today

Patna: Doctors at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) will perform three kidney-related robotic surgeries on Friday, including two for kidney cancer, as its ongoing clinical trial of robotic surgery gathers pace. Since the trial began earlier this week, the institute has completed six robotic procedures in the urology and gastro surgery departments, marking a significant step in advanced surgical care in Bihar.

On Feb 10, IGIMS carried out two robotic surgeries—one gall bladder and one hernia procedure. This was followed by two gall bladder surgeries on Wednesday and a gall bladder and hiatus hernia surgery on Thursday. On Friday, the urology department will conduct three nephrectomy procedures. The institute is also planning to introduce robotic surgeries in the paediatric department.

Dr Rohit Upadhyaya, head of the urology department and an uro-robotic surgeon, said one partial and one total nephrectomy would be performed on cancer patients. He said laparoscopic surgery was difficult in both cases, but robotic surgery would enable precise removal of cancer with minimal bleeding.

Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh of the gastro surgery department, the institute’s first trained robotic surgeon, said the technique was particularly beneficial for cancers of the stomach, small and large intestine, and anal region. He said robotic surgery involved minimal invasion and negligible blood loss, allowing clear identification of arteries and veins and reducing the risk of damage or the need for blood transfusion during or after surgery. He added that even complex gastro surgeries were being performed at a cost of Rs 50,000.

Deputy director (administration) Dr Vibhuti Prassan Sinha said the formal inauguration of robotic surgery at IGIMS was expected on February 15 by health minister Mangal Pandey.

Institute director Dr Bindey Kumar said IGIMS was the first govt health institute in Bihar to acquire the da Vinci Surgical System, one of the most advanced surgical technologies.

Hospital superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said the institute had received a large number of queries through phone, email and at the counter since the launch of robotic surgeries. He said many people were surprised by the low cost and had enquired about Ayushman coverage, adding that robotic surgery was not covered under the scheme.