The Department of Paediatric Surgery at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) has completed 500 robotic-assisted procedures in children.

Launched in 2018, the paediatric surgery programme was the first of its kind in a government-funded tertiary care institution in the region.

According to the hospital, the programme was launched by paediatric surgeons S. Kumaravel and Bibekanand Jindal, who acquired the initial certifications to perform robotic procedures in paediatric patients. Subsequently, paediatric surgeons Bikash Kumar Naredi and G. Krishna Kumar were also certified, further strengthening the department’s expertise and expanding the scope of advanced surgical services offered to children.

Over the years, the department has performed a wide range of complex robotic procedures involving the urinary, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, thoracic and reconstructive systems.

This included pyeloplasty for pelviureteric junction obstruction, ureteric reimplantation for vesicoureteric reflux, choledochal cyst excision and reconstruction, repair of diaphragmatic eventration, surgeries for achalasia and hiatus hernia, robotic-assisted anorectal pull-through procedures, vaginal reconstruction and several other intricate paediatric surgical interventions.

The achievement of 500 robotic surgeries stands as a testament to the department’s growing expertise and the trust reposed in it by the patients and families, the hospital said.

According to G. Krishna Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatric Surgery, “Completing 500 robotic surgeries reflects years of dedicated teamwork, continuous skill development and institutional support. Robotic technology has enabled surgeons to perform highly complex procedures with greater precision and has significantly enhanced outcomes for children requiring advanced surgical care.”

Robotic-assisted surgery offers several advantages in paediatric patients, including smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, minimal blood loss, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and improved cosmetic outocmes. These benefits are particularly important in children, where precision and minimal tissue trauma play a crucial role in ensuring optimal long-term results, he said.

A defining feature of this programme has been Jipmer’s ability to bring highly-advanced surgical care within the reach of ordinary families. Procedures that often entail substantial expenditure in corporate healthcare settings are being delivered through Jipmer’s public healthcare framework, enabling many economically disadvantaged patients to access state-of-the-art treatment without the financial burden that would accompany such specialised interventions.

According to Vir Singh Negi, Director of Jipmer, “The milestone reflects the hospital’s commitment to excellence in patient care, innovation and academic leadership while simultaneously ensuring that the benefits of modern medical technology reach patients irrespective of their economic circumstances.”