KOCHI: Even though only three centres in the state have surgical robots, the number of robotic procedures done in Kerala is on par with other leading hospitals in south India. Robotic procedures are being done in urology, gynecology, gastroenterology and thoracic surgeries. Doctors attribute the high rate in Kerala primarily to lower costs when compared to other states, and the high precision of robotics. There are 40 robotic machines in various hospitals across the country including the three in Kerala.
Among the three centres in Kerala, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi has done more than 500 robotic procedures, followed by Aster Medcity with 270 while MIMS, Kozhikode which procured the machine very recently did six surgeries. The surgery is being done by a set of robotic arms controlled by a surgeon sitting a few feet away. A high magnification 3D camera allows the surgeon to see inside the patient's body through a keyhole incision. According to Dr. K.R Balasubramoniam, clinical associate professor, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, robotic surgery is really a revolutionary surgical innovation with a bright future.
"It was two years ago that the surgical robots were introduced in Amrita Hospital. Now, more than 500 surgeries have been done in various departments," he said.
Robotic surgery is superior to keyhole procedures like laparoscopy since the robotic arms have more flexibility and precision than the human wrist. "It's a fact that robotic surgeries are fast picking up in the state. Due to its number of advantages, more people prefer robotic procedures to the traditional laparoscopic surgeries," said Dr. Kishore T.A, consultant CoE Nephrology and Urology at Aster Medcity. Considering the high number of procedures being done in Kerala, Intuitive Surgical Inc, the only American company which manufactures the robotic surgical systems, has started its only training centre in India at Amrita Hospital.
