AIIMS Delhi has made history by performing India’s first robotic renal transplant on a patient with kidney failure. This landmark surgery, carried out at a government hospital, marks a major breakthrough in kidney surgery and robotic medical innovation in India.
The patient, a 45-year-old man, had been on dialysis for six months before being evaluated for a kidney transplant. A suitable donor was identified, and after completing all necessary tests, the patient was sent to the surgery department for the transplant.
The surgery, performed on September 3, used the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system, a state-of-the-art platform that allows minimally invasive surgery with enhanced precision, dexterity, and 3D visualisation. Surgeons Dr Virendra Bansal and Dr Krishna Asuri led the operation, which lasted about four hours under general anaesthesia.
Dr Bansal explained that the robotic system enabled small incisions of just 4-5 cm in the lower abdomen. The donated kidney was inserted through this incision and connected to the patient’s blood vessels. The ureter was joined to the bladder using the robotic system. The procedure ensures smaller cuts, less blood loss, reduced pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery.
Immediately after the transplant, the patient’s kidney started functioning well, and urine output was normal. His creatinine levels dropped to 1.2, and he was discharged after ten days in the hospital. Since this successful operation, four more patients have undergone robotic kidney transplants at AIIMS Delhi.
The Department of Surgical Disciplines at AIIMS officially launched the Da Vinci Xi system a few months ago to expand access to advanced surgical care and handle complex procedures with high precision.
Dr Bansal highlighted that robotic-assisted surgery is a significant step forward in providing safe, precise, and minimally invasive treatments to a larger population. Dr Krishna added that the technology is especially important in India due to the rising number of end-stage kidney disease patients, which has increased the demand for advanced, precision-based treatments.
This pioneering surgery at a government hospital sets a new benchmark for public healthcare in India and demonstrates how technology can improve outcomes for patients with serious health conditions.
