GMCH Nagpur Achieves Milestone with 1st Robot-Assisted CABG Surgery

Ziya Khan 7 hours ago

8 2 minutes read

In a significant milestone, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Super Speciality Hospital have successfully performed their first robot-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This achievement represents a major advancement in cardiac care for the region and is likely the first such surgery conducted in any government-run medical institute in India, bringing world-class technology to patients who may not otherwise afford high-end treatments.The complex procedure was conducted under the visionary leadership of Dr. Raj Gajbhiye, Dean of GMCH, alongside an expert team from the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (CVTS) department and cardiac anaesthesiologists.

Dr. Gajbhiye remarked, “This success opens new doors for advanced cardiac treatment for economically disadvantaged patients in Central India, where similar procedures could cost around 15 lakhs. We are committed to bringing the best technology to those who need it the most.”The robotic systems used in the surgery offer unparalleled precision, enhancing surgeons’ dexterity and visualization. This enables minimally invasive techniques that significantly reduce patient recovery times by minimizing pain and postoperative complications, as noted by Dr. Satish Das, Head of the CVTS department. Remarkably, the patient was mobilized just two days post-surgery.

A critical component of robotic CABG is one-lung ventilation (OLV), which provides necessary surgical exposure while minimizing interference with robotic instruments. This technique involves ventilating only one lung while collapsing the other to create a clear surgical field. The meticulous planning required for OLV was executed by the cardiac anaesthesia team led by Dr. Lulu Fatema Vali, HOD, ensuring patient safety and optimal conditions for surgery.The surgical team was led by Dr. Satish Das, with key contributions from Dr. Ashish Badkal, Dr. Kunal Ravekar, Dr. Ritesh Mate, and Dr. Aneesh. The anaesthesia team included Dr. Lulu Fatema Vali, Dr. Yogesh Zawar, Dr. Ketaki Ramteke, Dr. Priyanka Khondalay, and Dr. Aditya Rao.

Experts in robotic assistance, Dr. Bhupesh Tirpude and Dr. Gayatri Deshpande, played pivotal roles in this revolutionary technique. The success of this unconventional case was also attributed to the trained nursing staff and attendants of the CVTS department.In a press conference addressing this achievement, Dr. Raj Gajbhiye was joined by prominent figures, including Dr. Avinash Gawande, Medical Superintendent of GMCH, and Dr. Devendra Mahore, Vice Dean, among others. This groundbreaking surgery marks a new era in cardiac care accessibility for patients in the region.