Indian Doctors Perform Live Robotic Telesurgery from Delhi to London

Experts believe that as robotic systems become more accessible, such advances could pave the way for remote surgical networks, enhancing global collaboration and expanding access to complex procedures.

In a significant advancement for medical technology, doctors from the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) in Delhi successfully performed a live robotic-assisted telesurgery demonstration at ERUS25, a major European congress on robotic urology held in London.

The procedure, a robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy or kidney-sparing surgery, was conducted by Dr. Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director and Chief of Genito-Uro Oncology at RGCIRC.

The patient was located at the institute’s campus in Rohini, Delhi, while the robotic console was operated remotely from Gurugram using the Mantra Surgical Robotic System, developed by SS Innovations.

Connectivity for the procedure was supported by Airtel’s 5G standalone network, maintaining a median latency of 32 milliseconds to ensure real-time precision. The surgery was completed smoothly, and the patient was discharged the following day.

The live procedure, viewed by robotic surgeons and experts at ERUS25, showcased India’s technological and clinical capabilities in robotic surgery. Specialists from around the world witnessed the Indian team’s successful demonstration of locally developed technology.

Dr. Rawal said the event was an important opportunity to present India’s progress in minimally invasive surgery. “This demonstration reinforces how robotic-assisted techniques can enhance surgical precision and make specialized care more widely accessible,” he said.

Experts highlighted that telesurgery could help address disparities in healthcare access by allowing senior surgeons to operate or guide procedures remotely. This capability could significantly benefit smaller hospitals with limited specialized expertise, making advanced care more available across regions.

Commenting on the initiative, D.S. Negi, CEO of RGCIRC, said it reflects the institute’s continued efforts to integrate research and technology into cancer care. Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Chairman of SS Innovations, described the demonstration as an encouraging validation of Indian engineering and clinical collaboration.

The ERUS25 event marks one of the few cross-border telesurgery demonstrations conducted using an Indian-developed robotic system. Experts believe that as robotic systems become more accessible, such advances could pave the way for remote surgical networks, enhancing global collaboration and expanding access to complex procedures.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News