Women’s Health Month: Multi-institutional study highlights role of robotic-assisted surgery in reshaping gynaecological care in India
- Sub Editor
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The study was conducted by analysing data of surgeries performed using da Vinci technology by five tertiary hospitals for over 10 years
This technology is increasingly being used in treating common benign and malignant gynaecological conditions and its adoption has contributed to fertility preservation in women, along with other benefits like shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, and reduced blood loss
As India observes Women’s Health Month, a study conducted across five tertiary care hospitals by analysing the data of surgeries performed by using the da Vinci technology over a decade is shedding light on how robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is steadily transforming gynaecological care across the country. The study documents a significant rise in the use of robotic surgery for both benign and malignant conditions and is significant for its implications on access, recovery, and surgical outcomes for women.
The multi-institutional study—‘Trends in Gynaecological Robotic Surgery in India: A Real-World Scenario’—analysed data from ten years across five hospitals: Apollo Health City (Hyderabad), PGIMER (Chandigarh), Manipal Hospital (Bengaluru), Narayana Health (Bengaluru), and Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai). Notably, over 70% of robotic gynaecological procedures took place in the final five years, indicating a strong upward trajectory.
“Women’s Health Month is a time to reflect on how surgical technology innovations like the da Vinci robotic technology are enhancing healthcare outcomes for women,” said Dr. Rooma Sinha, Honorary Professor and Chief Gynaecologist at Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, one of the surgeons who oversaw the study. “Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly being used to manage benign gynaecological conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis, offering enhanced precision and improved outcomes across a wide range of cases.”
Many studies across the globe show reduced blood loss and faster recovery times for robotic-assisted surgery compared to other modalities. The patients in this study similarly experienced minimal blood loss and faster recovery times. Dr. Sinha, who is also the Founder-President of Association of Gynaecological Robotic Surgeons, noted that “Even in cases involving large fibroids or endometriosis, we were able to keep blood loss low, recovery times short, and port-site pain/discomfort minimal. That matters a lot in a country like India, where patients often travel long distances for care and want to return home quickly.”
Patient body mass index (BMI) was comparable across both groups, suggesting that RAS outcomes are consistent regardless of weight. Improvements were also noted in surgical workflow, including reductions in docking time as teams became more experienced.
“We have seen that with robotic procedures, women often spend less time in the hospital and experience fewer complications related to blood loss,” said Dr. Vanita Jain, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at PGIMER, Chandigarh, who was also part of the study. “It is not just about using new technology—it is about making recovery more manageable, especially for women who are balancing responsibilities at home and work.”
The study found that fibroids were the most common benign indication for robotic surgery, followed by endometriosis, adenomyosis, vault prolapse, and ovarian cysts. These conditions often require careful dissection and suturing, particularly when fertility preservation is important.
“Myomectomy, or the removal of fibroids while preserving the uterus, especially calls for such precision,” explained Dr. Subhas C Saha, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, another key facilitator of the study. “Advanced robotic systems like the da Vinci platform offer us better visualisation and manoeuvrability, which can make a real difference in these challenging cases.”
While more public and private insurers are beginning to include robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in their coverage, the study highlights that there is still room to improve affordability and access. To optimise value and accessibility, surgeons are refining techniques—using fewer robotic arms and incorporating multifunctional instruments—to reduce costs while still delivering high-quality care and better patient outcomes.
“Given the clear benefits demonstrated in studies like this, there is a strong case for insurance payers to further expand coverage for robotic-assisted surgery. Broader, streamlined reimbursement support can help ensure more women across India have access to advanced surgical options,” Dr. Saha added.
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