Aster Medcity achieved a major milestone in Indian healthcare by successfully performing Kerala’s first tele-robotic urology surgery. The landmark procedure demonstrated that surgeons can safely conduct complex robotic operations through a remote connection without being physically present in the operating room. The surgery involved a Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP), an advanced procedure commonly used to treat Prostate Cancer.
Surgeon Operated from Gujarat While Patient Remained in Kochi
The patient, a 70-year-old man from Kollam, was admitted to Aster Medcity in Kochi, Kerala. Meanwhile, Dr. Kishore T.A., Senior Consultant – Uro Oncology & Transplant Surgery at Aster Medcity, performed the entire two-hour operation remotely from the Meril Academy in Vapi. The achievement marks an important step toward long-distance telesurgery, paving the way for expert surgeons to provide real-time surgical assistance, mentoring, and emergency interventions across geographical boundaries.
A Step Toward Global Access to Advanced Surgical Care
“This procedure proves how technology can bridge geographical distances, enabling patients to access world-class surgical expertise without the surgeon being physically present at the operating location. The future potential is enormous,” said Dr. Kishore T.A., Senior Consultant – Uro Oncology & Transplant Surgery, Aster Medcity. In the future, tele-robotic surgery could significantly improve access to specialized healthcare in underserved regions, islands, military installations, and disaster-affected areas where expert surgeons may not be available.
How the Tele-Robotic Surgery Was Performed
The medical team used the Meril Mizzo Robot for the procedure. Dr. Kishore operated from a surgeon console in Gujarat while a secure, high-speed network transmitted his hand movements in real time to the robotic arms working on the patient in Kochi. To ensure precision and reliability, the teams conducted weeks of pre-operative planning, performed multiple technical simulations, tested network connectivity extensively, verified minimal latency for seamless transmission of surgical commands.
Patient Safety Remained the Top Priority
A fully qualified robotic surgery and anesthesia team remained physically present at the patient’s bedside in Kochi throughout the operation. The on-site team handled patient positioning, port placement, robotic system docking, instrument exchange and continuous patient monitoring. The bedside team was prepared to take over the surgery immediately if a network interruption occurred, thereby ensuring zero compromise on patient safety.
Successful Recovery and Discharge
After the procedure, the patient recovered smoothly and remained clinically stable. Doctors observed excellent post-operative progress, and the patient was safely discharged three days after surgery. Kerala’s first tele-robotic prostate cancer surgery demonstrates the growing role of robotic surgery, telemedicine, and advanced digital connectivity in modern healthcare. As per the press release, by combining surgical expertise with real-time remote technology, Aster Medcity has opened a new chapter in remote robotic surgery in India, with the potential to transform access to specialized surgical care worldwide.