New Delhi, 23 August (H.S.): Safdarjung Hospital has achieved a significant milestone in advanced orthopaedic care by successfully performing its first robot-assisted total knee replacement surgery. The procedure was carried out on August 22 at the Central Institute of Orthopaedics and was provided free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The patient was a 75-year-old senior citizen.

According to information released by the hospital on Sunday, the newly introduced robotic system can be upgraded in the future to support both total and partial knee replacement procedures, as well as hip joint replacement. Following further technological and software upgrades, the facility could also be expanded to include robot-assisted spinal surgeries.

Robotic technology enables more precise pre-operative planning and helps surgeons determine implant positioning and achieve better alignment and balance of the joint during surgery. The availability of such advanced technology at a government hospital is expected to expand access to sophisticated orthopaedic treatment for economically weaker sections of society.

The initiative was undertaken under the leadership, support and encouragement of VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital Director Kavita Sharma. The surgery was performed under the medical guidance of Professor Dr. Sumit Sural, Director of the Central Institute of Orthopaedics.

The surgical team was led by Professor and Unit Head Dr. Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, Consultant. Dr. Dhruve Maini and Dr. Kartik Yadav assisted in the procedure.

The anaesthesia team was led by Dr. Sushil Guriya. The operating theatre nursing team included Sister Rekha and Ritika, while Vijendra was part of the technical team.

The successful procedure marks an important step towards expanding the availability of advanced robotic-assisted orthopaedic procedures within the public healthcare system.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar