DPU Super Specialty Hosp Unveils Robotic Thoracic Surgery Dept in Pune

The newly launched department is backed by the 4th Generation Da Vinci Xi, which will be used to perform the surgeries.

Pune’s DPU Super Specialty Hospital has launched a dedicated department for Robotic Thoracic Surgery in the city.

The newly launched department is backed by the 4th Generation Da Vinci Xi, which will be used to perform the surgeries.

With this move, the hospital aims to offer effective treatment for patients suffering from thoracic diseases which are on the rise, especially with regards to cardiological ailments and pulmonary ailments.

Sharing thoughts, Dr Manisha Karmarkar, CEO, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, said, "Since this technology is new the robotic surgeries would cost more, however, if we consider the out-of-pocket expenditure during hospitalization and follow ups, it would almost be the same for the patients."

The New Department’s Facilities

DPU’s new department will primarily offer minimally invasive thoracic surgeries including video-assisted thoracic surgeries (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracic surgeries (RATS) for several complexities including lung tumors, tumors in the chest wall, anterior and posterior mediastinal tumors, and bullous disease of lungs and thymoma.

Reportedly, the robot has a camera attached which allows the surgeon to magnify and view the tumors and other abnormalities that would not be visible to the naked eye.

Additionally, the robot also allows for a 360-degree rotation which is crucial to surgically remove the tumor.

Expressing thoughts, Dr Aneez D B Ahmed, director, Robotic Thoracic Surgery Department said, "This will provide a 3D magnified view for better pathology localization, thus enhancing precision and efficiency as compared to traditional methods."

According to Dr Sameer Chauhan, Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgeon, the difference between the current method of laparoscopic surgeries and the latest robotic surgeries for cardiothoracic treatments is the size of the incision.

The robotic intervention allows for smaller incisions, 0.8 mm, compared to the large incisions with laparoscopic, 3-4 cm.

Moreover, the smaller incision and accurate surgical interventions provide faster recovery post-operation as well as less requirement of blood transfusions during the surgery.

The launch of this dedicated department of robotic thoracic surgery will benefit the patients of Pune and neighborhood cities including Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Nashik.

The OPD for consultation will be hosted from Monday to Friday and patients will be attended to on an appointment basis.

Days back, Apollo Cancer Centres (ACC), in collaboration with Accuray, introduced the Indian subcontinent’s first robotic and stereotactic therapy education center. It provides advanced training in radiosurgery techniques for radiation oncologists, physicists, radiation therapists, and technologists.

In April, Kolkata-based Peerless Hospital launched humanoid robotics, the latest technology for hip, knee, and shoulder replacement with 3D robotics. The robotics technology leverages the AI platform, and mixed reality with Hololens powered by Microsoft which is a pioneering initiative in Eastern India, claimed the company.