First-ever robotic-assisted knee surgeries conducted in Daltonganj
Daltonganj, June 23: The first-ever robotic-assisted knee replacement surgeries were successfully conducted at Nirmala Multi Speciality Hospital and Trauma Centre in Daltonganj…
Daltonganj, June 23: The first-ever robotic-assisted knee replacement surgeries were successfully conducted at Nirmala Multi Speciality Hospital and Trauma Centre in Daltonganj on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the region’s healthcare sector.
Hospital sources said both patients are recovering well following the procedures. One of the patients underwent the surgery under the Rashtriya Swasthya Beema Yojana and received the treatment free of cost, while the other patient was charged a moderate fee.
Two Patients Undergo Total Knee Replacement
The surgeries were performed by a team of orthopaedic surgeons, Dr Vijay Kumar Singh and Dr Praween Siddharth, with the assistance of a surgical robot. The two patients, one male and one female, were both aged above 58 years.
Each robotic-assisted total knee replacement procedure lasted approximately two hours.
Dr Siddharth said the surgical robot was brought from Kolkata for the procedures.
‘A New Era of Healthcare for the Region’
Speaking about the development, Dr Siddharth said that introducing robotic-assisted surgery in a town like Daltonganj, which has long faced challenges in accessing advanced medical facilities, offers new hope to residents.
“Robotic-assisted surgery in a place like Daltonganj, which still languishes in terms of upgraded medical facilities, is an outbreak of hope for the people of this region,” he said.
He added that such advancements could reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised treatment in the future.
Major Milestone for Palamu Healthcare
Residents described the achievement as a major milestone in local healthcare and credited the father-son team of Dr Vijay Kumar Singh and Dr Praween Siddharth for bringing the technology to the region.
In the past, even relatively common surgeries such as appendectomy and hernia repair often prompted affluent residents to seek treatment in Ranchi due to limited local medical facilities.
According to doctors, robotic-assisted surgery can be used for knee, hip and spine procedures. In this case, the surgeries involved robotic-assisted total knee replacement.
Responding to questions about whether the two rural patients were comfortable with robotic technology, Dr Siddharth said both patients had been largely bedridden due to severe knee joint pain.
“These two were just bedridden because of their knee joint pain. They were counselled first. They took no time to express their readiness for robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery,” he said.
Doctors Highlight Benefits of Robotic Surgery
Senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Vijay Kumar Singh said the hospital had launched Palamu’s first robotic-assisted surgical service.
“We have launched Palamu’s maiden robotic-assisted surgery. It will go a long way. We need people’s cooperation,” he said.
Medical sources state that the success rate of robotic-assisted surgery ranges from 94 to 100 per cent. However, the cost remains higher than traditional open surgery because robotic disposables must be replaced for every procedure.
Doctors also noted that robotic-assisted surgeries for knee, hip and spine conditions generally offer shorter recovery times compared with conventional surgical methods, reducing the number of days patients need to remain bedridden.
Palamu records a significant number of road accidents and has limited access to state-of-the-art trauma and limb care facilities.
Healthcare professionals and residents believe the successful introduction of robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery will provide much-needed relief to people in the region and improve access to advanced treatment closer to home.
