The Department of Urology, Sawai Man Singh Medical College collaborated with Intuitive India, the India arm of Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), to familiarize and build awareness about robotic-assisted surgery among the surgical fraternity in the state. As a part of Intuitive’s roving robot programme, they conducted a four-day hands-on workshop on Robotic Assisted Surgery by using Da Vinci Xi system, at the newly inaugurated super-speciality block in SMS medical college. Parsadi Lal Meena, Cabinet Minister of Health & State Excise, Govt. of Rajasthan, together with Vaibhav Galriya, Principal Secretary, Medical Education Department & Dr.Sudhir Bhandari Principal and Controller, SMS Medical College paid visit to the hands-on workshop.

This initiative aims to familiarize the medical fraternity with robotic-assisted surgery, its features, and clinical applications. Intuitive is conducting more such workshops in collaboration with institutions and hospitals across India as a part of their Roving-Robot programme.  

Commenting on the workshop, Prof. (Dr) Shivam Priyadarshi, Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur, said, “The whole department was excited to participate in this programme and the overwhelming response has made us think about arranging many more such workshops on Robotic-Assisted Surgery. These kinds of workshops will enhance interest for RAS among the budding surgeons, and it will equip more surgeons to take up such surgical advances to contribute towards better patient outcomes.”

The organizing committee had formulated a comprehensive programme to ensure extensive hands-on learning for the surgeons and residents. The workshop was carried out on Intuitive’s latest Da Vinci Xi technology. This workshop also demonstrated advanced technologies for real-time visual assistant, dual grip technology, and suturing & simulation exercises. Demonstration of advance technologies like firefly, force bipolar, stapler, vessel sealer, and suturing & simulation exercises were also a part of this workshop.

Mandeep Singh Kumar, VP and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, "We are witnessing a rapid increase in the number of healthcare practitioners in India who are keen to adopt advanced surgical technologies to better serve their patients. To accelerate the understanding of benefits that come from Robotic Assisted Surgery, Intuitive is collaborating with leading hospitals and renowned medical institutions through initiatives such as the Roving Robot. Such familiarisation and educational initiatives are an essential step toward building a strong understanding of the technology and its application in improving clinical outcomes. At Intuitive, we believe upskilling surgeons through adequate training and supporting them through their robotics journey is critical for establishing strong robotic programs and successfully achieving our quadruple aim."

While emphasising the benefits of RAS, Prof. (Dr) Shivam Priyadarshi added, “The robot offers a minimally invasive approach to surgery but doesn’t do anything independently. Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) can provide surgeons with the ability to perform some complex major surgical procedures with improved precision, flexibility and control.”

Surgeons and residents from the Urology department were a part of this programme organized by the postgraduate department of Urology under the headship of Prof. (Dr) Shivam Priyadrashi. The Urology department at SMS medical college is one of the largest in the country with 10 M.Ch residents per year and 13 faculty members. It has the reputation of having one of the largest series of single centre PCCNLD in the world. Department comprises of subspecialty OPDs including Urooncology, Pediatric Urology, Andrology, stone clinic and transplant clinic which will soon start in the new block. It has a good academic reputation & has published many research papers in various reputed Medical Journals worldwide.