AIIMS Delhi Crosses 1,000 Robotic Surgeries In 13 Months, Redefining Recovery In Public Healthcare

What once meant a hospital stay of five to seven days for gallstone surgery is now often reduced to just 48 hours. As robotic-assisted surgery becomes routine at the surgical department of the country’s most sought-after hospital, recovery times for many surgeries have shortened, complications have declined, and operating theatres are able to handle more procedures, steadily easing surgical backlogs.

Waiting lists, no doubt, are likely to remain long, reflecting the heavy patient inflow from across the country; yet, the number of surgeries performed has increased and patient trauma has significantly reduced due to the high precision of robotic interventions, said Dr. Sunil Chumber, Professor and Head of the Department of Surgical Disciplines, AIIMS Delhi.

At a press conference in the national capital recently, he shared that the department has crossed a major technological milestone by completing over 1,000 robotic surgeries since installing the da Vinci surgical system in November 2024.

Over the past year, robotic assistance has been used for a wide range of complex procedures, including pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer surgeries, oesophagectomies, gastrectomies, colectomies, anterior resections for colorectal malignancies, kidney transplantation, and minimally invasive resections for endocrine tumours involving the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas. Surgeons have also successfully employed the technology in hepatobiliary procedures that were once considered technically demanding using conventional methods.

“Robotic surgery allows minimally invasive, highly precise operations, especially in confined spaces where conventional instruments have limitations,” said Dr. Chumber. “Smaller incisions mean less blood loss, reduced post-operative pain and quicker recovery, enabling patients to return to normal life sooner.”

Hospital data supports these clinical observations. Compared to traditional open surgeries, robotic procedures have resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in post-operative pain, a 40% decrease in surgical site infections, and around 30% shorter hospital stays. These outcomes not only improve patient comfort but also significantly lower treatment costs—an important consideration in a public healthcare system catering largely to economically vulnerable populations.

The institute performed its first robotic surgery in November 2024. Explaining the technology, Dr. Hemanga K. Bhattacharjee, Professor of Surgery at the department, said the robotic platform consists of three integrated components: a surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart equipped with robotic arms, and a high-definition vision system that provides a three-dimensional, magnified view of the surgical field. “The surgeon remains in complete control at all times. The robot does not operate independently—it translates the surgeon’s hand movements into extremely precise actions inside the body,” he explained.

While robotic surgery has been widely adopted in private hospitals across metropolitan cities—particularly in specialties such as urology and gynaecology—its penetration in government hospitals has remained limited due to high costs and infrastructural challenges. In this context, the institute’s achievement is being seen as a critical step towards bridging the gap between private and public healthcare, making advanced surgical care accessible to patients from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Dr. Chumber said at AIIMS itself, more departments, such as paediatrics and gynaecology, are in the process of acquiring the robots for better health deliveries.

Beyond patient outcomes, the doctors emphasised the academic and training value of robotic surgery. As a leading teaching hospital, the institute trains more than 100 surgical residents at any given time. Professor Chumber noted that access to robotic systems has significantly strengthened surgical education. “Our residents are now receiving hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technology during their training years. This brings our curriculum in line with globally recognised medical institutions and prepares future surgeons for evolving surgical practices,” he said.

Additional Professor Dr. Mohit Joshi pointed out that the institute’s experience reflects its long-standing role as a leader in adopting new medical technologies. “Whenever there is a significant advancement in healthcare, the institute has consistently been at the forefront of introducing and evaluating it for the benefit of patients and trainees alike,” he said, adding that a dedicated operating theatre has been created to support robotic procedures.

Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Professor of Surgery, said that robotic assistance also reduces physical fatigue among surgeons by offering enhanced precision and high magnification, which helps minimise blood loss during procedures. “Together, these advantages lead to higher patient satisfaction—faster return to daily activities, better cosmetic outcomes and fewer long-term complications,” he said, adding that the improved surgical outcomes also give the medical team a deep sense of professional fulfilment.

However, doctors cautioned that robotic surgery is not a universal solution. Dr. Chumber said the technology is not suitable for all cases, particularly trauma and emergency surgeries that require immediate intervention. In rare situations, surgeons may need to convert robotic procedures into conventional open surgeries if complications arise.

Despite these limitations, he emphasised that advanced surgical innovation can successfully coexist with accessibility and affordability within the public healthcare system, ensuring that even economically disadvantaged patients can benefit from cutting-edge medical care.