Command Hospital Performs First VR-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery in AFMS

The procedure has been carried out successfully on patients with gallbladder stones and later extended to hernia surgeries, successfully integrating virtual reality technology with minimally invasive procedures.

Command Hospital (Eastern Command) in Kolkata has performed the first virtual reality-assisted laparoscopic surgery in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), demonstrating the clinical viability of virtual reality-enabled surgery in routine practice.

The procedure has been carried out successfully on patients with gallbladder stones and later extended to hernia surgeries, successfully integrating virtual reality technology with minimally invasive procedures.

This development comes against the backdrop of a broader global shift towards the use of virtual reality in healthcare, particularly in surgery, where the technology has evolved from a training and simulation tool into an aid for real-time surgical assistance.

Over the past decade, virtual reality and related technologies such as augmented reality and mixed reality have been increasingly explored to address the limitations of conventional laparoscopic surgery, especially challenges related to depth perception, hand-eye coordination, and surgeon fatigue.

At Command Hospital, the integration of virtual reality into laparoscopic surgery has allowed surgeons to operate using advanced visual interfaces that improve spatial awareness and precision.

The Eastern Command of the Indian Army highlighted the achievement, stating, “Under the aegis of EasternCommand, a landmark advancement in Armed Forces healthcare was achieved at Command Hospital, Kolkata, as the Dept of Surgery successfully pioneered the first Virtual Reality-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (VRALS) in AFMS on a patient with gallbladder stones, followed by successful hernia surgeries using the same technology.”

By offering enhanced depth cues and a more immersive view of the operative field, virtual reality systems support more accurate movements and smoother coordination during complex minimally invasive procedures.

Medical professionals have noted that such systems can significantly reduce physical strain, particularly during long surgeries, by improving ergonomics and lowering cognitive load.

The Eastern Command of the Indian Army further added, “The procedure integrated Virtual Reality with Minimally Invasive Surgery, enhancing surgical precision, ergonomics and intra-operative decision-making, while reducing surgeon fatigue.”

Virtual reality-assisted laparoscopic surgery is widely recognised for its role in surgical education and skill development, offering realistic simulations with haptic feedback that allow surgeons to practise complex techniques in a risk-free environment.

By bringing virtual reality into the operating theatre, the military healthcare system aims to enhance surgical performance, minimise errors, and deliver better outcomes for serving personnel, veterans, and their families, while also positioning itself at the forefront of medical innovation in India.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News