Pune: The Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) has procured its first robotic surgery machine to assist in general surgeries and operating of soft tissues primarily. The machine is being installed and the services would open to the general public soon. In Sept, last year, the hospital had performed Maharashtra's first orthopaedic robotic total knee replacement surgery in a govt hospital, though it was for demonstration.
Robotic surgeries usually cost lakhs of rupees at private hospitals, but will be free for patients coming to SGH. Although the initial learning curve for robotic surgery takes time for doctors, once the surgeons become accustomed to the machine, surgeries can be performed smoothly, said SGH dean Dr Eknath Pawar. Pawar said, "The machine is of an Indian brand and made in India.
It will be installed soon and be ready for use by Dec. SGH will be the first govt hospital in Maharashtra to have a dedicated robotic machine for general surgery." Robotic surgery is an advanced technique where a significant part of the body cavity surgery is done by a robotic arm controlled by a surgeon sitting at the computer console away from the patient in the operation theatre and giving commands, said Dr Anant Bidkar, head of SGH general surgery department.
"It has many advantages like accessing difficult areas, better vision, reduced blood loss, faster recovery and less assistance. While a surgeon has only two arms and limited wrist movement, with the help of the robotic system, three t.
