Safdarjung doctors script new milestone, perform first robot-assisted total knee replacement

New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) The Central Institute of Orthopaedics (CIO) at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital achieved a major milestone in advanced orthopaedic care, with the successful completion of its first robot-assisted Total Knee Replacement (TKR), thereby expanding the availability of technology-enabled surgical treatment within the public healthcare system.

The procedure was successfully performed on August 22 on a 75-year-old economically disadvantaged male patient and was carried out completely free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme at the Central Government hospital.

The introduction of robot-assisted orthopaedic surgery at the Central Institute of Orthopaedics has been undertaken with the leadership, support and encouragement of Dr Kavita Sharma, Director, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced orthopaedic treatment using modern surgical technology.

The landmark procedure was performed under the clinical guidance of Prof. Dr Sumit Sural, Director of the Central Institute of Orthopaedics. The surgical team was led by Dr Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, Consultant Professor and Head of Unit.

The orthopaedic team included Dr Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, Dr Dhruve Maini and Dr Kartik Yadav. The anaesthesia team was led by Dr Sushil Guria, while operating theatre nursing staff Sister Rekha and Ritika and technical staff led by Vijender provided essential support during the procedure.

The hospital said the successful surgery demonstrates its commitment to making advanced surgical technology accessible to patients from economically weaker sections. Performing the procedure free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat framework also highlights the potential for sophisticated robotic-assisted treatment to be integrated into public healthcare.

A key feature of the newly introduced robotic system is its upgradable platform, which provides scope for expanding the range of robot-assisted orthopaedic procedures at the Central Institute of Orthopaedics.

At present, the platform can support procedures including Total Knee Replacement, Partial Knee Replacement and Hip Joint Replacement. With future technological and software upgrades, the system may also support robot-assisted spine surgery, potentially broadening the range of advanced procedures available at the institute.

Robot-assisted surgery can enable detailed pre-operative planning and precise surgical execution, particularly in areas such as implant positioning and alignment. The availability of the technology at CIO is expected to strengthen the hospital’s ability to offer advanced orthopaedic procedures to patients in the future.

The hospital said that providing such technology within a Central Government institution under the Ayushman Bharat framework could help make advanced robotic orthopaedic care more accessible to economically weaker patients, supporting the broader objective of equitable healthcare delivery.

The successful completion of the first robot-assisted TKR marks an important step in the expansion of technology-enabled orthopaedic services at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. It also lays the foundation for the Central Institute of Orthopaedics to expand its robotic-assisted surgical capabilities and offer a wider range of advanced procedures to patients.

The milestone represents a significant development for public-sector orthopaedic care, bringing advanced robotic surgical technology into a government hospital while maintaining access for eligible patients through the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

–IANS

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