The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, has completed 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries in less than three years, with more than 90% of the procedures performed free of cost under government-supported healthcare schemes including Aarogyasri and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).

Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through smaller incisions with greater precision. The technology has helped reduce postoperative pain and blood loss, shorten hospital stays and facilitate faster recovery among patients. 

Of the 1,000 procedures, the Department of Urology accounted for the largest share with 590 surgeries, followed by Surgical Gastroenterology with 248 and Surgical Oncology with 162 procedures, the institute said.

The 590 urology procedures included complex cancer surgeries such as radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer and radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, besides robotic renal transplantation, uro-gynaecological and reconstructive procedures.

The 248 robotic procedures performed by Department of Surgical Gastroenterology included hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal, intestinal and upper gastrointestinal surgeries.

Another 162 procedures were carried out by the Department of Surgical Oncology for ovarian, uterine, colorectal and other cancers. These included procedures involving organ-preservation and nerve-sparing techniques, the institute said.

NIMS Director Rahul Devraj, who is also Senior Professor of Urology and Renal Transplantation and Robotic Surgery Coordinator, congratulated all the three departments along with nurses, operation theatre personnel and other supporting departments, for reaching the milestone.

Dr. Devraj also thanked Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha for his support in strengthening advanced healthcare services at the institute and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for the government’s efforts towards upgrading healthcare infrastructure.