Robotic-Assisted Surgery Emerges as Game-Changer in Indian Gynaecology

Key Highlights:-

• Robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries in India have surged, especially in the last five years
• RAS is increasingly used for benign conditions like fibroids and endometriosis
• Improved surgical efficiency observed with experience, including reduced docking time

As India marks Women’s Health Month, a landmark study covering ten years and five leading tertiary care hospitals is spotlighting the transformative role of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in advancing gynaecological treatment. The findings expose a sharp rise in the use of robotic technology, especially in the last five years, with far-reaching claims for women’s access to care, post-operative recovery, and surgical outcomes.

The multi-institutional research, titled “Trends in Gynaecological Robotic Surgery in India: A Real-World Scenario,” examined real-world data from hospitals including Apollo Health City (Hyderabad), PGIMER (Chandigarh), Manipal Hospital and Narayana Health (Bengaluru), and Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai). Remarkably, over 70 per cent of all robotic gynaecological measures were performed in the last five years alone, reflecting an abrupt growth trajectory.

“Women’s Health Month gives us a meaningful opportunity to evaluate how developing technologies, like the da Vinci robotic system, are changing the landscape of women’s healthcare,” said Dr. Rooma Sinha, Honorary Professor and Chief Gynaecologist at Apollo Health City, and a principal investigator of the study.

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She highlighted that robotic-assisted techniques are now increasingly utilised to treat benign conditions like fibroids and endometriosis, allowing higher precision, less invasiveness, and improved surgical efficiency.

The study also found no major difference in outcomes across BMI categories, suggesting that robotic procedures offer reliable benefits regardless of patient body type. Also, surgical efficiency improved over time, with reductions in docking time and workflow enhancements as teams gained experience.

“Platforms like da Vinci provide superior visualisation and dexterity, which are critical in handling complex cases that demand precision and delicate tissue handling,” said Dr. Subhas C Saha, Professor at PGIMER, and another key contributor to the study.

Still, the study also points to the need for broader affordability and accessibility. While some brokers have begun covering RAS procedures, more inclusive policies and efficient reimbursement processes are essential to expand its reach.

To optimize value, many surgeons are now adopting cost-saving innovations, such as using fewer robotic arms and multipurpose instruments, without compromising on care quality.