Training partnership aims to expand access to robotic-assisted surgery in India
AIIMS New Delhi and India Medtronic has announced the opening of a state-of-the-art surgical robotics training center at AIIMS, New Delhi. The center will provide surgeons with training in robotic-assisted surgery. It is the first such center at AIIMS utilising Medtronic’s Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system, which was first introduced in India in September 2021.
The training center will offer a broad spectrum of training to enhance the knowledge and skill set in RAS, ranging from basic skills training to procedural training to more advanced and specialised areas in soft-tissue surgery. The training will help impart procedural knowledge skills using surgical robotics among surgeons, fellows, and residents from across the country.
Michael Blackwell, Vice President & Managing Director, Medtronic India said, “Medtronic’s partnership with AIIMS is a cornerstone of our commitment to make the benefits of RAS available to more patients in India. Together, we will make training and education on the latest technology more accessible and enhance the skill sets of both current and the next generation of surgeons.”
Dr. Minu Bajpai, HOD Paediatric Surgery and Dean Academics, AIIMS said, “Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Though surgical robots have been around for many years, the adoption has been limited due to multiple factors, training being one among them. Surgical robotics and artificial intelligence are already changing the way surgical care is delivered. This initiative will pave the way for surgeons to progress from open and laparoscopic surgery to advanced RAS and will shorten their learning curve to master robotic techniques.”
The Hugo RAS system is a modular, multi-quadrant platform designed for a broad range of soft-tissue procedures. It combines wristed instruments, 3D visualisation, and Touch Surgery Enterprise, a cloud-based surgical video capture and management solution, with dedicated support teams specialising in robotics program optimisation, service, and training.