Kolkata: Fortis Hospital & Kidney Institute has achieved a landmark milestone in advanced medical technology by successfully performing Eastern India’s first robot-aided tele-surgeries. The procedures were conducted using the SSI Mantra 3 robotic surgical system over a high-speed dedicated 5G internet connection, with surgeons operating from nearly 1,500 kilometres away.
The groundbreaking surgeries were carried out across Kolkata and Faridabad, while the operating surgeons controlled the robotic system remotely from New Delhi and Kolkata, demonstrating the immense potential of tele-surgical technology in India.
The procedures were led by Dr. R. K. Gopala Krishna, Director – Urology & Uro-Oncology, and Dr. Shrinivas Narayan, Director – Urology, at Fortis Hospital & Kidney Institute, Kolkata. The three complex cases showcased the precision, reliability, and clinical safety of robotic telesurgery, highlighting how India’s growing digital healthcare infrastructure can deliver expert surgical care across long distances.
Three Complex Cases Successfully Treated
Case 1:
A middle-aged woman from Kolkata suffering from a large adrenal tumour located near major blood vessels and vital organs underwent a remote robotic surgery. The tumour was removed with exceptional precision.
Case 2:
A young woman diagnosed with pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction, a congenital condition affecting kidney drainage, underwent robotic pyeloplasty, a delicate reconstructive surgery requiring extremely precise suturing.
In both cases, patients were admitted in Kolkata, while the operating surgeons performed the procedures from Delhi. Due to their medical condition, travelling long distances for treatment was considered unsafe.
Case 3:
A 70-year-old man from Faridabad diagnosed with a 9-cm cancerous kidney tumour underwent a Tele-Robotic Partial Nephrectomy. The surgical team removed the tumour while preserving the healthy portion of the kidney.
The surgery required completion within a strict 30-minute clamp window to prevent permanent kidney damage. The team successfully removed the tumour and completed reconstruction in just 22 minutes, without requiring any blood transfusion. The patient recovered smoothly and is expected to be discharged within 2–3 days.
Advantages of Robotic Tele-Surgery
According to Dr. Gopala Krishna, tele-surgery enables surgeons to operate remotely using robot-aided systems, real-time 3D imaging, and high-speed connectivity, helping overcome geographical barriers. The technology can:
- Reduce the need for patient travel
- Lower infection risks
- Improve surgical accuracy
- Enable faster recovery
- Provide access to specialised surgeons in remote regions
Dr. Shrinivas Narayan added that performing complex procedures from nearly 1,500 km away requires advanced technology, precision, and seamless coordination between on-site and remote medical teams.
A New Era in Healthcare
Commenting on the achievement, Richa S Debgupta, Executive Vice President, Chief of Strategy and Group Head ESG, Business Head Jaipur and Kolkata, Fortis Healthcare, said that the successful procedures mark a defining moment for healthcare in Eastern India.
By combining advanced robotic systems with expert clinical teams, the hospital aims to deliver safer, more precise, and more accessible surgical care, eliminating the burden of long-distance travel for critically ill patients.
The success of these surgeries represents a major leap forward in digital healthcare and robotic surgery in India, opening the door for remote specialist care to reach patients across the country.
