Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai has conducted India’s first international remote robotic surgeries on two patients, with lead surgeon Dr. T. B. Yuvaraja operating from Shanghai, over 5,000 km distant.
The procedures — a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy — used the Toumai Remote Robotic Surgery System, cleared by CDSCO for cross-border clinical application. This milestone validates long-distance telesurgery for complex urological interventions with precision matching on-site robotic operations.
Ultra-Low Latency Enables Seamless Control
The Toumai system delivered bidirectional latency of just 132 milliseconds, ensuring smooth instrument handling, precise tissue dissection, and reliable haemostasis despite continental separation. High-speed data transmission and layered safety protocols maintained uncompromised patient outcomes, with both surgeries completing successfully under remote specialist direction.
Dr. Yuvaraja, with over 4,100 robotic procedures, demonstrated that geographical distance no longer constrains access to elite surgical expertise when backed by advanced robotics and secure connectivity.
CDSCO-Cleared System Sets National Precedent
As the only robotic platform holding US FDA study approval for telesurgery, Toumai’s India debut establishes Kokilaben as the pioneer in intercontinental remote operations. Multidisciplinary teams in Mumbai handled patient preparation, intra-operative support, and recovery, while Shanghai-based engineering ensured system stability. The achievement opens pathways for specialist care in underserved regions, disaster response, and military applications where on-site expertise remains scarce.
Redefining Surgical Access and Infrastructure
CEO Dr. Santosh Shetty highlighted how robotics paired with digital infrastructure extends world-class urology across India and globally, particularly benefiting remote and rural populations. The procedures’ success provides clinical validation for telesurgery’s safety and efficacy, accelerating adoption of remote healthcare systems.
Kokilaben’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge platforms positions it to shape India’s surgical innovation landscape, where technology bridges specialist shortages and enhances equitable care delivery.
