3 days Ago By Steffy Thevar
Pune: The Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) has procured its first robotic surgery machine to assist in general surgeries and operating of soft tissues primarily. The machine is being installed and the services would open to the general public soon. In Sept, last year, the hospital had performed Maharashtra's first orthopaedic robotic total knee replacement surgery in a govt hospital, though it was for demonstration.
Robotic surgeries usually cost lakhs of rupees at private hospitals, but will be free for patients coming to SGH. Although the initial learning curve for robotic surgery takes time for doctors, once the surgeons become accustomed to the machine, surgeries can be performed smoothly, said SGH dean Dr Eknath Pawar. Pawar said, "The machine is of an Indian brand and made in India.
It will be installed soon and be ready for use by Dec. SGH will be the first govt hospital in Maharashtra to have a dedicated robotic machine for general surgery." Robotic surgery is an advanced technique where a significant part of the body cavity surgery is done by a robotic arm controlled by a surgeon sitting at the computer console away from the patient in the operation theatre and giving commands, said Dr Anant Bidkar, head of SGH general surgery department.
"It has many advantages like accessing difficult areas, better vision, reduced blood loss, faster recovery and less assistance. While a surgeon has only two arms and limited wrist movement, with the help of the robotic system, three to five arms of the robot can operate simultaneously and more efficiently under the control of a surgeon," he said. It can be helpful for organs that are difficult to access by open or laparoscopic surgery, said Bidkar.
"It includes surgeries on the prostate, adrenal gland, kidney and oesophagus. Its applications are increasing and can be expanded to include thoracic, cardiac and gynaecological surgeries as well. Surgeons require special training and practice to get used to the advanced technology.
The cost involved in treatment with robotic surgery at SGH will be lower than private hospitals," he added. Bidkar further said it will be decided later whether robotic surgery would be covered under state health insurance scheme MPJAY or not. Dr Girsh Bartakke, head of SGH orthopaedic department, said, "The total knee replacement at our hospital in Sept 2023 was for demonstration purposes by the maker of the machine.
We had done just that one surgery. The results were good and the operation successfully completed. We are trying to procure a robotic surgery machine for our department through CSR.
In orthopaedics, a robot will help the surgeon operate, but the doctor will have to be physically involved." Many private hospitals in the city use robotic machines for surgeries for both hard and soft tissues. However, the cost is beyond the reach for those from low-income groups.
Therefore, a robotic machine for general surgeries at SGH comes as a boon for patients in need..
