Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 20: Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, a constituent unit of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), has achieved a historic milestone in advanced healthcare by successfully conducting the first robotic telesurgery in Dakshina Kannada. This landmark accomplishment represents a significant leap in surgical innovation and broadens access to specialized medical expertise beyond geographical boundaries.
The department of urology at the Yenepoya Institute of Nephrourology carried out the groundbreaking remote procedure on a 64-year-old patient diagnosed with prostate cancer. The surgery was performed by a surgeon from a distance of over 2,000 kilometres, demonstrating the remarkable precision and reliability of technology-enabled robotic surgery.
The surgery was performed by a team led by Dr Mujeebu Rahiman, assisted by Dr Nischith D’Souza, Dr Altaf Khan and Dr Rehan Khan. Anesthesia services were provided by Dr Thippeswamy and his team. Additional operational coordination and technical support were rendered by nephrologist Dr Santhosh Pai and deputy manager and chief transplant and robotic surgery coordinator Nelvin Nelson, ensuring the procedure was executed seamlessly and successfully.
The patient’s post-operative recovery was highly satisfactory, with early mobilization and timely discharge, underscoring the safety, effectiveness, and clinical excellence of telesurgical interventions.
Chancellor Dr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, pro-chancellor Farhaad Yenepoya, pro-chancellor Dr M Vijayakumar, vice chancellor Dr KS Gangadhara Somayaji and medical superintendent Dr Habib Rahaman expressed immense pride in this achievement.
Yenepoya Medical College is the first institution in Dakshina Kannada to be equipped with three fully operational robotic surgical systems—two SSI Mantra robots and one Da Vinci surgical system—actively employed across multiple specialties, including urology, surgical oncology, gynaecology, cardiac surgery and general surgery. By eliminating geographical barriers, telesurgery enables patients in remote and underserved areas to access highly specialized surgical expertise without extensive travel.
With this pioneering initiative, Yenepoya Medical College further strengthens its position as a leader in next-generation surgical care, setting a new benchmark for the integration of technology and medicine in India and beyond.