Robot on Duty: AIIMS Completes 1,000 Surgeries in 13 Months, Sets National Record

The Department of General Surgery at AIIMS has made history by performing over 1,000 successful robotic-assisted surgeries in just 13 months, offering patients reduced pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays.

The journey began on 5th November 2024, when AIIMS conducted its first robotic-assisted surgery. Initially, only one faculty member was trained in robotic surgery. Over the past 13 months, the institute has scaled up operations, and now all 25 faculty members are performing surgeries with robotic assistance. Unlike private hospitals, where such procedures can cost lakhs of rupees, AIIMS provides robotic surgeries free of charge.

1,000 Surgeries in Just Over a Year

Dr. Sunil Chumber, Head of the Department of General Surgery at AIIMS, said that this is the first dedicated robotic program for any single department in India. “In just 13 months, we have performed over 1,000 robotic surgeries, making AIIMS the first government institution in the country to achieve this milestone,” he said. Procedures ranging from gallbladder and hernia surgeries to kidney transplants are being performed robotically, with patients reaping the full benefits of minimally invasive surgery.

Growth in Robotic Surgery

Dr. Chumber noted that while open surgeries continue at similar levels, laparoscopic procedures have declined, and robotic surgeries are steadily increasing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India had only two to three surgical robots; today, there are over 200. AIIMS has also deployed robotic systems in CTVS and Surgical Oncology departments, with additional robots planned for training. Pediatric and gynecology departments are preparing to acquire robotic systems as well.

Most Common Procedures

Dr. Hemang Bhattacharjee, a robotic surgeon at AIIMS, explained that initially, access to the robot was limited to once a month. “Now, we use it daily. Gallbladder stone and hernia surgeries constitute the majority of robotic procedures. We have also performed 14 kidney transplants, including both donor and recipient surgeries. In some cases, patients are discharged the same day,” he said.

Robots for Complex Surgeries

Robotic assistance is also being used for complex procedures, including pancreaticoduodenectomy, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, colectomy, anterior resection for GI cancers, complex hernia repair, kidney transplantation, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic endocrine tumor surgeries. Dr. Bhattacharjee noted that robotic surgery provides a three-dimensional, magnified view of the operative field and enables precise movements with robotic arms, reducing bleeding and minimizing complications.

A Model for the Future

Robotic surgery at AIIMS is expanding at a rate of 15–20% annually. With over 200 surgical robots now operating across India, making this advanced technology available free of cost in government hospitals signals that high-end medical care will not remain limited to the private sector. AIIMS’ model is expected to serve as a blueprint for other central and state hospitals. Training for residents and young surgeons will prepare India’s next generation of robotic surgeons to meet global standards, reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, and make healthcare more cost-effective.