Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai has marked a historic milestone by performing India’s first cross-border remote robotic surgeries. In a groundbreaking feat, the patients were in Mumbai while the operating surgeon, Dr T B Yuvaraja, worked remotely from Shanghai—a distance exceeding 5,000 kilometres.
Using the US FDA Study Approved Toumai Remote Robotic Surgery System, Dr Yuvaraja successfully conducted a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and a robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. These procedures are the first clinical cross-border applications of the system in India, following clearance from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
“The potential of remote robotic surgery to transform access to high-quality surgical care is immense,” said Dr T B Yuvaraja, Director (Group), Uro-Oncology and Robotic Surgery, who has performed over 4,100 robotic procedures.
The surgeries showcased the precision and safety of telesurgery, with the system enabling real-time instrument control and ultra-low bidirectional latency of just 132 milliseconds. This ensured seamless dissection, smooth instrument movements, and uninterrupted surgical execution despite the vast distance.
Dr Santosh Shetty, CEO & Executive Director of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, emphasized that the achievement highlights the hospital’s leadership in integrating robotics with secure digital infrastructure. “This allows specialist surgical expertise to be delivered across continents without compromising patient outcomes,” he noted.
The success relied on a highly coordinated effort between multidisciplinary clinical teams, full-time specialists at Kokilaben Hospital, hospital staff, technology partners, and engineering teams in both Mumbai and Shanghai. Their collaboration ensured stable connectivity, strict safety protocols, and flawless clinical execution.
The landmark procedures validate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of remote robotic surgery. They also demonstrate India’s growing capabilities in advanced digital healthcare, paving the way for delivering world-class surgical care nationally and globally.
With this national first, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital sets a new benchmark for remote robotic surgery, redefining the possibilities of surgical care delivery across continents and establishing a strong foundation for the future of telesurgery in India.
(Photo is for representational purposes only)