New Delhi: India scripted World History when world’s first robotic cardiac telesurgeries were meticulously performed over a distance of 286 Km using best of class Made in India surgical robot SSI Mantra. One of the world’s finest robotic surgeons Dr Sudhir Srivastava sat in Gurgaon while patients under knife were in Jaipur Manipal hospital. Surgeries were so flawless that surgeons of the whole world rubbed their eyes in disbelief. It took just 58 minutes to pull off this world record.
Dr. Fredric Moll, Father of Surgical Robotics, and Founder of Intuitive Surgical and now SS Innovations International, Inc Vice-Chairman’s joys knew no bounds to witness this turning point in surgical robotics. The father of surgical robotics was prolific in showering praise on Dr Srivastava and SSIMantra.
SS Innovations, the developer of India’s first indigenous surgical robotic technology, has made history in global healthcare by successfully performing two world-first robotic cardiac telesurgeries in just two days, a feat that has never been accomplished before. This achievement, made possible by the SSI Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System, involved connecting SS Innovations’ headquarters in Gurugram with Manipal Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, spanning a distance of 286 kilometres. This historic milestone paves the way for a future where advanced surgical technology becomes a key component of accessible and efficient global healthcare.
The Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting procedure conducted remotely was successfully completed in just 58 minutes. Led by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations International, Inc., from the SSI Headquarters in Gurugram, and supported by Dr.Lalit Malik, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, along with his expert team at the remote location in Jaipur, the surgery demonstrated exceptional precision with an incredibly low latency of just 35-40 milliseconds (1/20th of a second). This groundbreaking procedure was followed by another world-first, a Robotic Beating Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB), a procedure known as one of the most complex Cardiac Surgical procedures; performed via telesurgery under the same collaboration, with an incredibly low latency of just 40 milliseconds.
Both surgeries, connected Gurgugram to Jaipur, and showcased seamless teamwork across long distances, setting a new standard for remote surgical interventions. These achievements underscore the transformative potential of telesurgery in overcoming geographical barriers, enabling timely, high-quality medical care with unparalleled accuracy. The SSI Mantra 3 Surgical Robotic System is the only robotic system in the world to have received regulatory approval for telesurgery and tele-proctoring. Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), this validation opens the door to remote surgeries and medical education, enabling healthcare professionals to collaborate across distances.
Caught in the moment, Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, said, “We are extremely thrilled to have advanced the capabilities of surgery to benefit humanity, especially in areas that need it the most. By enabling telesurgery, we can bridge gaps in access to medical expertise and deliver the highest standard of care, regardless of geographical barriers. For a country like India, with its vast rural population and significant healthcare disparities, this innovation is transformative. Telesurgery brings world-class surgical expertise directly to underserved communities, eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances to urban centres for specialized care. It ensures timely interventions while reducing logistical and financial burdens on families. With the recent CDSCO approval for telesurgery using SSI Mantra, we have not just advanced technology; we have fulfilled our mission to democratize access to robotic surgery. Our goal has always been to make advanced surgical care affordable and accessible, and telesurgery now allows us to extend the reach of skilled surgeons to every corner of our nation, fundamentally changing the way healthcare is delivered.”
Dr.LalitMalik, Chief of Cardiac Surgery atManipal Hospital, Jaipur, said,“This groundbreaking inter-state robotic cardiac telesurgery marks a significant leap in enhancing patient care through innovation. The remote robotic-assisted CABG on an elderly patient from Jaipur exemplifies how technology is bridging geographical gaps to provide accurate and timely medical interventions. This achievement underscores our dedication to offering world-class healthcare and ensuring patients have access to the most advanced treatment options available.”
