AIIMS Delhi has achieved a major medical milestone by performing India’s first robotic renal transplant in a government hospital. A 45-year-old man suffering from kidney failure received a donated kidney using the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system, which allows doctors to perform surgery with high precision, improved dexterity, and 3D visualization. This minimally invasive technology is designed to make surgery safer and faster while reducing pain and complications for patients.
The patient had been on dialysis and came to AIIMS Delhi’s Nephrology department about six months ago. After a thorough evaluation, a suitable donor was identified, and the patient was referred to the Department of Surgery for the transplant. The surgery took place on September 3, 2025, and lasted around four hours under general anesthesia.
Dr Virendra Bansal, chief transplant surgeon at AIIMS, explained that the robotic system allowed small incisions, reducing the trauma of the procedure. The donated kidney was inserted through a 4-5 cm incision in the lower abdomen. Using the robotic system, surgeons connected the kidney to the patient’s blood vessels and attached the ureter to the bladder. Immediately after surgery, the patient’s kidney started working, and urine output was normal. His creatinine levels dropped to 1.2, and he was discharged after ten days in the hospital.
This first successful case has since been followed by four more robotic kidney transplants at AIIMS Delhi, showing the growing adoption of this advanced technology.
The introduction of the Da Vinci Xi robotic system at AIIMS Delhi marks a significant step in public healthcare. Unlike traditional open surgery, robotic-assisted transplants involve smaller cuts, less blood loss, faster recovery, and fewer complications. Patients can return home sooner, making post-operative care easier and safer.
Dr Krishna Asuri, another senior surgeon at AIIMS, said that robotic surgery is particularly important in India due to the rising number of end-stage kidney disease cases. As more people require transplants, precise and minimally invasive methods help meet this increasing demand efficiently.
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The robotic system also offers better surgical accuracy. Its advanced tools allow surgeons to make precise movements that are difficult in conventional surgery. The 3D view helps in connecting tiny blood vessels and the ureter more safely, reducing the risk of errors.
AIIMS Delhi’s Department of Surgical Disciplines officially launched the Da Vinci system a few months ago to expand access to advanced surgical care and tackle complex medical challenges. Dr Bansal highlighted that robotic surgery is a landmark advancement, setting a benchmark for other government hospitals in India.
With robotic kidney transplants, more patients suffering from kidney failure may have the option of safer surgery with faster recovery. This is especially important in India, where demand for kidney transplants is growing due to lifestyle diseases and increasing numbers of patients on dialysis.
Doctors also emphasized the long-term benefits of robotic surgery. Smaller incisions reduce infection risk and post-operative pain. Patients experience quicker mobility, shorter hospital stays, and better overall outcomes. The technology also allows surgical teams to operate in a controlled environment, improving safety for both the patient and doctors.
In conclusion, AIIMS Delhi’s robotic renal transplant is not just a medical breakthrough, but also a step forward in improving healthcare access and precision in India. With more cases being performed successfully, this technology could transform kidney surgery across the country, offering patients safer, less invasive, and more effective treatment options.
This advancement demonstrates the potential of robotic-assisted surgery to improve outcomes for complex procedures, provide faster recovery, and set new standards in public healthcare, particularly for patients with end-stage kidney disease.
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