PGI performs India's first robot-assisted reverse vasectomy
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The breakthrough surgery was performed on July 9, 2025, by a skilled team led by Dr Aditya Prakash Sharma, Dr Girdhar Bora, both Additional Professors, and Prof Ravi Mohan from the Department of Urology. This pioneering intervention replaces the traditional microscope-based technique with the precision of robotic surgery, marking a major leap forward in reproductive microsurgery in India.
The patient, a 43-year-old male presenting with secondary infertility following a vasectomy, underwent the procedure using the da Vinci Surgical System.
He was discharged the very next day, signaling a swift and successful recovery.
Vasovasostomy, commonly known as vasectomy reversal, is a highly intricate microsurgical operation that involves reconnecting the severed ends of the vas deferens to restore the passage of sperm and enable natural conception. Traditionally dependent on high-powered microscopes, the PGIMER team broke new ground by harnessing robotic assistance — offering three-dimensional magnified visualization, enhanced precision, and superior suturing stability.
"This innovation reflects PGIMER's unwavering commitment to integrating next-generation technology into patient care," said Dr Aditya Prakash Sharma, the lead surgeon. "Robot-assisted vasovasostomy not only improves accuracy but also reduces surgeon fatigue and eliminates tremor — allowing the use of ultra-fine sutures, even thinner than a strand of human hair. It opens a new horizon for couples desiring natural conception post-vasectomy.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"
Echoing this sentiment, Prof Ravi Mohan highlighted the broader implications: "This successful procedure showcases the versatility of robotic platforms beyond their conventional use in cancer and reconstructive surgeries. It paves the way for expanded applications in andrology and microsurgery."
With this surgical first, India joins an elite global league of centres equipped to offer robot-assisted vasovasostomy.
PGIMER plans to publish the results in peer-reviewed journals to encourage larger clinical adoption across India and beyond.
The team credited the vision and support of Prof Uttam Mete, Head of the Urology Department, and Prof Vivek Lal, director of PGIMER, for enabling such high-precision innovations. Their guidance, they said, played a vital role in turning this milestone into a reality.
This achievement not only reinforces PGIMER's reputation as a centre of excellence but also signals a promising future for male infertility treatment in India, said Lal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Brain dead man's organs give new lease of life to three
A 23-year-old Navneet Singh, who was declared brain dead by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), gave a lease of life to three critically ill patients. Following the family's consent, Navneet's heart, kidneys, and pancreas were retrieved by the transplant teams at the PGIMER. (HT photo for representation) Navneet Singh, a young engineering student was a resident of Gangath, Nurpur, Kangra. He sustained a grievous head injury following an accidental fall from a rooftop on July 3. Despite being rushed to PGIMER in a highly critical condition, he was declared brain dead on July 11, in accordance with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) protocols. Amidst overwhelming grief, Navneet's father, Janak Singh, made the courageous decision to donate his son's organs. He shared, 'Deciding to donate my son's organs was not easy. But knowing that his organs would give others a chance to live has brought us some comfort in our sorrow. We are proud that Navneet's legacy will continue through these lives.' Following the family's consent, Navneet's heart, kidneys, and pancreas were retrieved by the transplant teams at the PGIMER. The kidneys and pancreas were transplanted into two recipients at PGIMER, while the heart was allocated to a matching recipient at RML Hospital, New Delhi, facilitated through NOTTO under the coordination of ROTTO North. In order to transport the donor's heart swiftly to RML, New Delhi, a dedicated green corridor was created from PGIMER to Chandigarh International Airport, Mohali, on Saturday at around 5.45 am. The recipient was a 26-year-old matching recipient admitted at RML Hospital, New Delhi. At PGIMER, the department of renal transplant surgery, led by Ashish Sharma performed a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant on one patient. The second kidney was transplanted into another patient with end-stage renal failure, who had been on long-term dialysis.
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Indian Express
Over 1,000 pituitary adenoma surgeries performed endoscopically by one PGI neurosurgeon in 7 years
In a remarkable achievement, a senior neurosurgeon at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh has performed more than 1,000 pituitary adenoma surgeries endoscopically over the past seven years, a distinction that places this achievement among the largest single-surgeon series globally, the institute said in a statement. 'Despite advances in medicine, we continue to see patients presenting with large or even giant pituitary tumours, often due to delayed diagnosis or limited awareness. This milestone reflects not only surgical success but also the importance of early detection and the collaborative strength of a dedicated multi-disciplinary team,' said Prof Rajesh Chhabra, who performed those surgeries. The pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain, plays a crucial role in regulating many of the body's vital functions. Known as the master gland, it controls the production of essential hormones, including those responsible for growth, thyroid function, stress response, reproductive health, and fluid balance. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland holds the key to our body's hormonal harmony. 'Due to its strategic location near optic nerves (responsible for vision) and critical blood vessels (carotid arteries), abnormalities of the pituitary gland, especially pituitary tumours (adenomas), can lead to serious health problems. These tumours account for nearly 15 per cent of all brain tumours, making them the third most common brain tumours after gliomas and meningiomas. Fortunately, the vast majority are non-cancerous, but if left untreated, they can cause vision loss, hormonal imbalances, life-threatening crises, and even coma,' the doctor said. Earlier, pituitary tumours were operated on by opening the skull, a procedure associated with considerable post-operative risks. With medical advancements, the microscopic transnasal approach gained popularity, significantly reducing morbidity. The real breakthrough, however, came with the advent of endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery, which has now become the gold standard worldwide for most pituitary tumours, offering a safer, scarless, faster recovery, preservation of vision and hormonal function, and reduced complication rates. Early warning signs such as headaches, vision changes, or subtle hormonal disturbances are frequently ignored,' he said. 'Watch for warning signs such as persistent headaches, gradual vision loss, unexplained weight gain or changes in body features, menstrual irregularities or hormonal disturbances. A simple MRI scan and hormonal evaluation can lead to early diagnosis, enabling safer and more effective treatment,' Dr Chhabra said. 'The high volume of cases at PGI,' the doctor said, 'ensures world-class training for young doctors, who carry forward this expertise across India and abroad.'
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: New trauma centre at GMCH opens by month-end
The patient load on Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research's (PGIMER) trauma centre will likely reduce with another emergency-cum-trauma centre set to be inaugurated at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, by month-end. Until now, the trauma centre at PGIMER had been bearing much of the load of emergency patients, with their numbers consistently rising over the years. (HT photo) The hospital administration has issued a circular regarding a Sukhmani Sahib path at the new trauma centre building on July 27. Though the hospital administration has not confirmed the date, sources revealed that the 283-bed trauma centre will be opened on July 28. The authorities are awaiting confirmation of the Union Minister's availability before announcing the date. GMCH-32 director principle Dr AK Atri said, 'The building is ready and a circular regarding Sukhamni Sahib Paath has been issued for July 27. The equipment has been installed and all emergency services will be shifted to the new building in a phased manner.' Until now, the trauma centre at PGIMER had been bearing much of the load of emergency patients, with their numbers consistently rising over the years. GMCH already has one trauma centre in Block-A, with 45 beds. But the rush here goes up to 400 on a daily basis. On several occasions, there were reports of patients being treated on trolleys due to shortage of beds. The new emergency-cum-trauma centre, with 283 beds, will cater to patients needing immediate care, including natural and manmade disasters, road accidents, etc. The facility also has over 40 ventilator-support beds. The new emergency-cum-trauma centre building has two basements for parking, operation theatres, CT scan, MRI and other services in the building. The ₹52.77 crore project had received approval in 2019 and was supposed to be complete within 18 months but it faced numerous hiccups, causing delay. Due to pending environment clearance certificates, Covid and other reasons, the project has seen multiple delays. On December 16, 2024, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had gone on a surprise visit to the hospital and inspected the construction work of a new emergency-cum-trauma centre building. He had then ordered to complete the work by March 31 and operationalise the building by April.
