Apollo founder Dr Prathap Reddy lauds robotic surgeons for superior outcomes among cancer patients

The use of robotic technology has been resulting for a better quality of life for even those afflicted with cancer.

Dr Reddy said that Apollo Hospitals will set up a Minimally Invasive Robotic Institute by extending the pioneering work being done among cancer patients using the da Vinci Surgical Robot within the Apollo group beyond the current four large metros of Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata.

Referring to India as the world capital for debilitating conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart ailments, Dr Reddy exhorted Indian doctors to find technological solutions to bring relief to millions of afflicted people. “Every life is priceless. We must endeavour to protect every life," Dr Reddy said, urging Indian doctors who have made a mark for themselves with their exceptional skills, compassion and care.

Speaking to an audience of 150 experienced Robotic Surgeons who were attending the two-day Robotic Surgeons Conference that concluded in Chennai on late April 9, Dr Reddy repeatedly stressed the need for early detection of cancer. This he said was possible by making available healthcare facilities for all sections of society.

Practicing robotic surgeons from a wide range of specialisation fields such as Urology, Gynaecology, Thoracic, Gastro-intestinal, Head & Neck ailments, shared their results and findings based on their experience in Robotic Surgery and learning from international faculty and young surgeons who have invented new methods to handle complex surgeries.

Dr Mahendra Bhandari, CEO, Vattikuti Foundation, that is committed to skilling super specialist surgeons into competent robotic surgeons said, “It’s proven beyond doubt that computer assisted surgery using Surgical Robots is precise. It ensures quicker recovery and drastically reduces pain as opposed to a major open surgery with long and protracted period of recovery.”

Surgeons presenting at the bi-annual conference were unanimous in their opinion that Robotic Surgery scores over conventional surgery, as it minimises blood loss, dramatically reduces post-operative recovery time, and brings precision in executing the procedure, thus saving healthy tissue from damage. The quick healing and lower pain-levels translate to shorter hospital stays and faster return to a happier home environment.

Best video presentation awards were presented to Dr Ashwin Mallya, Vattikuti Fellow, Fortis Escorts Kidney and Urology Institute; Dr Ashwin Tamhankar, Vattikuti Fellow, Max Super Specialty Hospital and Dr Arun Prasad, Senior Consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. The Jury for the best video presentation included Dr Alessandro Volpe, Maggiore Della Carita Hospital, Novara, Italy and Dr Jagdeesh Kulkarni, Asian Institute of Oncology, Mumbai.

Twenty surgeons chosen through a competitive process were awarded Vattikuti scholarships by Dr Reddy to initiate them in their journey to become Robotic Surgeons:

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Aggarwal and Dr. Mahendra Kumar Sharma, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Dr. Souvik Chatterjee and Dr. Kanishka Samanta, National Medical College, Kolkata
Dr. Hindustanwala Adnan Mustafa, Asian Institute of Oncology, Mumbai
Dr. Ruchir Aeron, Dr. Sunny Goel and Dr. Rohan Patel, King George Medical College, Lucknow
Dr. Ankur Bhatnagar, SMS Medical College, Jaipur
Dr. Rohit Juneja, SS Institute of Medical Science & Research Centre, New Delhi
Dr. Gotam Pipara, St John’s Hospital, Bengaluru
Dr. Siddharth Yadav, AIIMS, New Delhi
Dr. Sachin Ravindra Sarode and Dr. Umesh Ravikant Shelke, KEM Hospital, Mumbai
Dr. Indraneel Banerjee, Fortis Escort Kidney and Urology institute, New Delhi
Dr. Lalit Kumar, ESI Hospital, Bhiwani
Dr. Sakshi Agarwal
Dr. Georgy Joy Eralil
Dr. Sneha Jayaramaiah
Dr. Garima Chaudhry, SBAMI

These Vattikuti scholars got a much better appreciation of Robotic Surgery and its benefits as they touched and felt the da Vinci Surgical Robot and experienced the use of advanced technology from the world leaders in the field--Intuitive Surgical Inc., USA--that helps improve outcomes in cancer surgeries.