In a remarkable feat of surgical precision and endurance, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh has etched its name in global medical history. The institute's Department of Urology successfully performed four robotic radical prostatectomies (RARP) in a single day using one da Vinci robotic system, setting an unprecedented world record.
A Marathon Surgical Session
The historic marathon session took place on January 1, beginning at 8 am and concluding by 5 pm. The entire procedure was masterfully led by Prof (Dr) Santosh Kumar, the head of the urology department. Each complex surgery, which included the critical patient turnover time, was completed in an average of two hours. This demonstrated not only exceptional surgical skill but also impeccable coordination and stamina from the entire medical team.
Robotic radical prostatectomy is widely recognized as the gold standard for treating localized prostate cancer. This minimally invasive technique offers superior outcomes compared to traditional open surgery, particularly in areas of cancer control, preservation of urinary continence, and maintaining sexual potency. While some centers have managed three such procedures in a day, no other institution in the world has documented the completion of four RARP surgeries in one day on a single robotic system, making PGIMER's achievement a true global first.
The Pillars of Success: Teamwork and Efficiency
Prof Santosh Kumar was quick to attribute this landmark success to exceptional teamwork and seamless coordination across departments. The anaesthesia team played a crucial role by ensuring swift and safe inductions and recoveries for each patient. Meanwhile, the nursing and technical staff executed rapid sterilization and re-docking of the sophisticated da Vinci robotic system with what was described as "pit-stop" efficiency, minimizing downtime between operations.
The surgical team itself maintained intense focus and precision throughout the demanding nine-hour session. The result was a flawless execution with all four patients recovering smoothly without any complications. This achievement has a significant secondary benefit: it helps reduce the waiting period for other patients in need of this advanced robotic surgery, optimizing the use of PGIMER's limited robotic infrastructure.
Meet the Pioneer: Prof Santosh Kumar
The driving force behind this record is Prof Santosh Kumar, a leading uro-oncologist and robotic surgeon with over 28 years of experience and more than 25,000 urological surgeries to his credit. A professor in PGIMER's Department of Urology, his qualifications include MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Urology), and FRCS.
Widely recognized as a pioneer of robotic urology in India, Prof Kumar has developed several innovative techniques in minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery. His contributions are so significant that a procedure for the endoscopic management of urethral strictures is internationally known as the "Santosh PGI Technique", published in 2013. His accolades include the Chandigarh Ratan Award (2019), the Marudhara Jodhpur Urology Award, and prestigious international travel fellowships.
This is not his first time pushing boundaries; he had previously achieved three robotic prostatectomies in a day even during the challenging Covid-19 period. His relentless work has dramatically advanced surgical outcomes for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers, while also expanding access to cutting-edge robotic care within a public institution like PGIMER, making advanced treatment available to a wider section of society.
