Apollo Hospitals Bangalore, one of the most advanced multi-speciality tertiary care hospitals in the city and part of the Apollo Hospitals Group  today announced the launch of the first dedicated Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Unit in India. A milestone in the history of cardiovascular surgery in the country, the Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Unit will offer patients with complex cardiac disease treatment with robotic assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Unit will be equipped with the advanced fourth-generation versatile ‘Da Vinci Xi’ robotic surgical system and a dedicated team, led by Dr. Sathyaki P Nambala, Sr. Consultant, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon and HoD, Robotic Cardiac Surgery Unit.

Dr. K. Hariprasad, President, Apollo Hospitals said, “Our vision has always been to bring the most advanced medical technology to India to benefit our patients. We are continuing on this path with the launch of the dedicated Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Unit, which will be the first in India to offer a full-time robotic heart surgery program. This will empower our doctors to deliver the best of cardiac care, armed with the latest in advanced medical technology. At Apollo Hospitals, the patient is at the center of all our efforts in providing accessible and affordable world-class treatment, and the introduction of the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system is in furtherance of this objective. With 18 cases successfully treated to date with robot-assisted cardiac surgery, we are confident that the dedicated unit will change the lives of many more patients who cannot undergo conventional cardiac surgery.”

 
Dr. Sathyaki P Nambala, Sr. Consultant, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon and HoD, Robotic Cardiac Surgery Unit said, “The development of a Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery program requires a tremendous amount of dedication and preparation, and we are proud to have launched a dedicated program for the first time in India."Dr. Sathyaki P Nambala, Sr. Consultant, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon and HoD, Robotic Cardiac Surgery Unit
 

The innovative technology of the da Vinci Xi allows complex cardiovascular surgeries to be performed through smaller incisions and precise motion control, as compared to conventional open heart surgery, which involves opening up the chest by splitting the breastplate. The robot is docked near the operation table while the cardiac surgeon sits on a console from where commands are given to operate the smooth and dexterous robotic arms with a precision that would be impossible without the robot. A high-definition camera provides a clear, 3D view of the chest to the surgeon on a console screen.