CUTTACK: In a remarkable medical feat, the Shanti Memorial Hospital here successfully performed a tele-robotic surgery on a 24-year-old youth suffering from obstructed groin hernia, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Lead surgeon and CMD of the hospital Dr Sreejoy Patnaik conducted the surgery remotely from Gurgaon with the entire operation taking little over one hour. The surgery was performed using the SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System.
A resident of Jaripadia in Tangi, the patient required emergency surgery to save his life. The procedure involving a robotic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair along with a Robotic Cholecystectomy, was conducted remotely between SS Innovations Headquarters at Gurugram in Haryana, and Shanti Memorial Hospital, Cuttack, spanning an impressive 1,760 kilometre.
The hospital claimed to be the first to have performed the surgery in the state and the second in eastern India. On Monday, it also celebrated the successful completion of its 100th robotic surgery.
Addressing mediapersons on the occasion, Dr Patnaik, a renowned surgical gastroenterologist, metabolic and bariatric surgeon, said, “This is not just a technological feat, but a humanitarian one. The patient needed an emergency operation, and the telesurgical approach allowed us to deliver expert care instantly. This achievement proves that advanced surgical technology can and should serve patients across all parts of India.”
Expressing gratitude to the surgical team and the hospital, the patient said he was in severe pain before the surgery. “I never imagined that such advanced surgery could be done here in Cuttack and that too through a robot. I am deeply thankful to Dr Patnaik and his team for saving my life,” he added.
“The success of this telesurgery demonstrates that India is leading the world in developing accessible, indigenous robotic surgical technology. The Mantra System continues to redefine what’s possible in modern surgery,” said founder chairman & CEO of SS Innovations Dr Sudhir Srivastava. Among others Dr Ananga Mohan Dwibedy and Dr Abhinav Patnaik were present.
The hospital, which first started robotic surgery in 2021, has procured the SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System at a cost of Rs 7.5 crore.
