New Delhi: A patient undergoing robotic gallbladder surgery at AIIMS Raipur recently had an unusual advantage. An expert surgeon sitting over 1,000 km away in Delhi was virtually present in the operating room, guiding critical steps of the procedure in real time.
First-of-its-kind Collaboration
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration between AIIMS Delhi and AIIMS Raipur, surgeons used a telepresence platform integrated with a robotic surgery system to connect operating teams across cities. This allowed specialists to discuss surgical decisions, review anatomy, and mentor colleagues live during the operation.
The procedure brought together Dr Sunil Chumber, head of surgical disciplines at AIIMS Delhi, and the AIIMS Raipur surgical team led by Dr Debajyoti Mohanty, professor, and Dr Tridip Dutta, additional professor, department of general surgery.
Procedure Details
The procedure involved the removal of the gallbladder through robotic-assisted surgery. While surgeons in Raipur performed the operation, Dr Chumber remotely observed the procedure and interacted continuously with the operating team, offering guidance during crucial stages such as tissue dissection and identification of vital structures.
Implications for Future Healthcare
The development points to a future where specialist expertise may no longer be limited by geography. Instead of travelling long distances for training or consultation, surgeons at hospitals across the country could potentially connect instantly with leading experts during complex procedures.
The collaboration also highlights the rapid expansion of robotic surgery in India. AIIMS Delhi has already performed over 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries and is increasingly using its experience to support other centres. According to Dr Chumber, the exercise allowed the Delhi team to share its experience and support critical operative steps to help avoid complications during the procedure.
Medical experts say such technology could be particularly valuable for government hospitals in smaller cities, where access to specialised surgical expertise is often limited. The exercise offers a glimpse of an emerging model of care in which the best surgical minds can be present in multiple operating rooms at once.
