Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 12: A robot that is equipped with the ability to perform complicated surgeries with precision as per the directions of the surgeon has been introduced at Manipal Hospital here. For the first time in the state, Manipal Health Enterprises has provided this facility at the hospital in partnership with Vattikuti Foundation USA.

Manipal-Vattikuti Institute of Robotic Surgery has started operating at the said hospital, with the installation of this machine. The robotic surgery was officially started in the hospital on Monday July 11. This system will be used for conducting surgeries relating to urology, gynaecology, and oncology.

These machines follow the movements of the surgeons with precision, without any scope for trembling or shaking. Robotic hands can manoeuvre 360 degrees, and they are ideal for surgeries needing high skill and precision. These surgeries involve minimum invasion, and hence, injuries will be far less as compared to surgeries conducted with hands. Patients also get discharged a few days earlier than in the case of traditional methods, and the patients would be able to resume normal activity faster.

The robotic surgery machine that has arrived at Manipal Hospital is the seventh in the country. Such machines are in operation at New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This machine can handle all important surgeries including heart-related ones, said medical director of Manipal Hospital, Dr H Sudarshan Ballal.

Because of the need to replace fingers of the robot for every surgery, the cost of surgery through this machine will be more than the traditional ones. Still, they are far cheaper than what they cost in foreign countries. As the number of surgeries performed with the machine goes up, cost may come down, Ballal explained.