In a landmark achievement for global surgical care, doctors at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road have performed what is believed to be the world’s first combined robot-assisted minimally invasive heart bypass surgery and robotic prostate cancer surgery in a single operative session.

 

The unprecedented procedure was carried out on a 56-year-old US-based NRI who was diagnosed simultaneously with coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, two life-threatening conditions that typically require separate high-risk surgeries. By integrating both procedures into one session, the medical team significantly reduced cumulative surgical risk, recovery time and exposure to anaesthesia.

 

The complex, multi-disciplinary intervention was led by Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Principal Director – Renal Sciences, and Dr Sudarshan G T, Director – MICS & Robotic Cardiac Surgery, along with a specialised team of cardiac surgeons, urologists, anaesthetists and critical care experts.

 

The patient, Sriram (name changed), had a critical blockage in a major coronary artery, severely restricting blood flow to the heart, though overall cardiac function remained normal. At the same time, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer causing obstructive urinary symptoms such as difficulty initiating urination, reduced urine flow, frequent urination and a persistent sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. Doctors warned that delaying treatment for either condition posed serious risks, including heart attack, heart failure or cancer progression.

 

Following extensive preoperative evaluation and meticulous planning, the team opted for a single-stage robotic approach to address both conditions safely and efficiently.

 

Detailing the cardiac procedure, Dr Sudarshan G T said, “Performing heart bypass surgery in a patient who also has prostate cancer requires meticulous planning and precision. We carried out a robot-assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), using the patient’s chest artery (LIMA) to restore blood flow to the heart through small keyhole incisions without opening the chest. 

 

"This approach allowed us to safely restore blood flow to the heart with less trauma, smaller incisions and faster recovery. The procedure lasted 1.5 hours. Although combining two major surgeries under a single anaesthesia is rare, in this case it significantly helped avoid multiple major surgeries and hospital admissions, repeated exposure to anaesthesia, prolonged recovery and high risk.”

 

Immediately following the cardiac surgery, surgeons proceeded with the prostate cancer operation.

 

Explaining the urological intervention, Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy added, “We carried out a 3.5-hour long robot-assisted radical prostatectomy which involved removal of the prostate and the nearby glands where cancer can spread, with temporary stents placed to protect the urine passage. 

 

"This approach offers excellent cancer control with high precision, minimal blood loss and faster recovery. Performing it in a single sitting along with cardiac surgery is highly complex, but it spares the patient the physical and emotional burden of two separate major operations. In this case, it allowed us to treat the prostate cancer immediately after heart surgery, preventing disease progression, while keeping cardiac risk under control. 

 

"The patient was discharged within 5 days, in a stable condition with a structured follow-up plan. This case truly demonstrates what integrated multicompartment robotic surgery can achieve.”

 

The patient described the experience as life-changing. “After an initially diagnosis in the United States I decided to travel to India upon learning that Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road was among the few centres in the world capable of offering an integrated, single-stage surgical solution using advanced robotic and minimally invasive techniques. 

 

"Being diagnosed with both heart disease and prostate cancer at the same time was overwhelming. I had not imagined that both the surgeries could happen at the same time and was mentally prepared for pro-longed suffering. Thanks to the Fortis doctors, who gave me confidence that both the ailments could be treated safely and together. I am grateful for the care, planning, and support that helped me recover smoothly.”

 

Fortis Hospitals said the case sets a new benchmark for integrated robotic surgery worldwide.

 

Dr Ananth Rao, VP & Business Head, Fortis Hospitals Bengaluru, said, "This world-first case underscores Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road’s leadership in delivering multidisciplinary, minimally invasive care for high-complexity patients. 

 

"Successfully performing two major robotic surgeries in a single sitting reflects not only clinical excellence, but also our strong culture of collaboration, patient safety, and evidence-based decision-making. Such outcomes reinforce our commitment to offering integrated, advanced treatment solutions for patients from India and across the world.”