The Department of Urology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has set a new record by successfully performing four robotic radical prostatectomies (RARP) on prostate cancer patients in a single day using one da Vinci robotic surgical system.
The marathon session, conducted on January 1 from 8 am to 5 pm, was led by Prof Santosh Kumar, head of the urology team. Each procedure, including patient turnover time, averaged around two hours, showcasing remarkable precision, coordination, and endurance.
Robotic radical prostatectomy is a minimally invasive procedure considered the gold standard for treating localised prostate cancer. It offers better outcomes in terms of cancer control, continence, and potency compared to open surgery. No other centre worldwide has documented performing four such complex robotic procedures in one day on a single system, surpassing previous benchmarks of three cases in a day.
Prof Kumar attributed the success to exceptional teamwork. The anaesthesia team ensured swift and safe inductions and recoveries, while nursing and technical staff managed rapid sterilisation and re-docking of the robotic system with “pit-stop” efficiency. The surgical team maintained focus throughout the nine-hour session. All four patients recovered smoothly without complications, and the feat helped reduce waiting times for other patients needing access to the limited robotic infrastructure.
A pioneer in
Robotic urology
A leading uro-oncologist and robotic surgeon, Prof Kumar has over 28 years of experience and has performed more than 25,000 urological surgeries. He is a professor at the Department of Urology at PGIMER and holds qualifications including MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Urology), and FRCS.
Recognised as a pioneer in robotic urology in India, Prof Kumar has developed innovative techniques in minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery. A procedure known as the “Santosh PGI Technique” for endoscopic management of urethral strictures was named after him and published internationally in 2013.
Among his accolades are the prestigious Chandigarh Ratan Award (2019), the Marudhara Jodhpur Urology Award, and international travel fellowships from the Urological Society of India. He has previously achieved three robotic prostatectomies in a single day during the challenging Covid period.
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His work has advanced outcomes in prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer surgeries while expanding access to cutting-edge robotic care at a public institution like PGIMER.
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