New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- Robotic-assisted surgery could increasingly replace conventional laparoscopy in gallbladder procedures, according to surgeons at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, who have drawn on the Department of Surgical Disciplines' experience of more than 1,500 robotic-assisted surgeries.
Professor Hemanga K Bhattacharjee of the Department of Surgical Disciplines said gallbladder operations can become challenging when severe inflammation, dense adhesions, scarring from previous episodes or unexpected anatomy makes it difficult to identify and safely dissect structures.
In such cases, robotic-assisted surgery can provide enhanced visualisation and instrument control, helping surgeons navigate difficult anatomy with greater precision. The da Vinci system offers a high-definition, three-dimensional view and wristed instruments that allow controlled movements at different angles.
Professor Asuri Krishna, Head of Surgery Unit 4, said the technology could also help surgeons develop minimally invasive surgery skills by offering a different way of understanding anatomy and performing movements during the learning process.
Dr Sunil Chumber, Head of the Department of Surgical Disciplines, who has performed open surgery, mini-laparotomy, conventional laparoscopic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery, said robotics represented a significant step forward based on his experience.
Chumber said he expects gallbladder surgery to eventually be performed robotically, with conventional laparoscopy gradually phased out. He described this as the next step in the evolution of surgical techniques - from open surgery to mini-laparotomy and laparoscopy, and now robotics.
The robotic system remains under the direct control of the operating surgeon and does not replace the surgeon's understanding of anatomy or clinical judgement.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.