Are Robots Replacing Gynaecologists in India?

 

May is celebrated globally as Women's Health Month — a time to raise awareness about the unique health challenges women face and to promote preventive care, early diagnosis, and access to advanced treatment options. In India, a newly released multi-institutional study is offering compelling evidence of how robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is changing the landscape of gynecological healthcare for women.

The study titled “Trends in Gynaecological Robotic Surgery in India: A Real-World Scenario” was conducted across five prominent tertiary care hospitals: Apollo Health City (Hyderabad), PGIMER (Chandigarh), Manipal Hospital (Bengaluru), Narayana Health (Bengaluru), and Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai). Spanning over a decade, the research analysed the use of the da Vinci robotic system in managing both benign and malignant gynaecological conditions.

A Decade of Growth: Robotic Surgery in Gynaecology

The study documents a dramatic rise in the adoption of robotic surgery across these centers, particularly in the last five years. Over 70% of all robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries in the study occurred in this recent half-decade, signalling a strong and steady shift towards technology-integrated surgical care.

“Women’s Health Month is a time to reflect on how surgical innovations like the da Vinci robotic technology are enhancing healthcare outcomes for women,” said Dr Rooma Sinha, Honorary Professor and Chief Gynaecologist at Apollo Health City, Hyderabad. She also serves as the Founder-President of the Association of Gynaecological Robotic Surgeons.

Why Robotic-Assisted Surgery?

Gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, vault prolapse, and ovarian cysts often require meticulous and minimally invasive procedures. Traditional open surgeries can result in longer hospital stays, increased blood loss, and extended recovery times. Robotic-assisted surgery offers key advantages:

·         High precision in dissection and suturing

·         Improved visualisation and 3D magnification

·         Minimal blood loss and fewer complications

·         Shorter hospital stays and faster recovery

“It’s not just about using new technology. It’s about making recovery more manageable, especially for women who are balancing responsibilities at home and work,” remarked Dr Vanita Jain, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Table: Most Common Indications for Robotic-Assisted Gynaecological Surgery

Condition	Surgical Procedure	Importance
Fibroids	Myomectomy	Preserves fertility while removing fibroids
Endometriosis	Excision of endometrial tissue	Requires careful dissection near pelvic organs
Adenomyosis	Hysterectomy	Reduces chronic pelvic pain and heavy bleeding
Vault Prolapse	Sacrocolpopexy	Restores pelvic organ support
Ovarian Cysts	Cystectomy	Removes cysts with minimal trauma to healthy tissue

“Procedures like myomectomy demand utmost surgical precision, especially when fertility preservation is critical. Robotic platforms like da Vinci greatly enhance our ability to achieve that,” explained Dr Subhas C Saha, Professor at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Real-World Benefits for Indian Women

The study reveals that women undergoing robotic procedures typically:

·         Stay fewer days in hospital

·         Recover faster

·         Experience reduced postoperative pain and complications

This is especially significant for women in urban and semi-urban settings, where maintaining productivity and household responsibilities post-surgery is crucial.

Despite these benefits, accessibility and affordability remain critical issues. While public and private insurers are gradually expanding coverage for RAS, the study emphasizes the need for broader policy support and reimbursement frameworks.

Bridging the Affordability Gap

To address cost concerns, surgeons across these hospitals have adopted cost-optimization strategies such as:

·         Using fewer robotic arms

·         Employing multifunctional instruments

·         Streamlining procedural time

These efforts ensure cost-effective care without compromising surgical quality.

“Given the clear benefits demonstrated in studies like this, there is a strong case for insurers to expand RAS coverage. Broader reimbursement support can help more women across India access advanced surgical options,” Dr Saha emphasized.

A Glimpse into the Future

The trend toward robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries reflects a broader global movement toward precision medicine, personalized care, and faster recovery. In India, where women’s health has often been underserved, the integration of cutting-edge technology like RAS could be a game-changer.

Key Takeaways:

·         Robotic-assisted surgery is rising rapidly across India’s top gynaecological centres.

·         Conditions like fibroids and endometriosis are most commonly treated with this method.

·         Women benefit from fewer complications, reduced hospital stays, and faster recovery.

·         Policy-level changes are needed to enhance affordability and access to RAS.

·         May, as Women's Health Month, is an opportune time to spotlight these innovations.

References

1.       Sinha, R., Jain, V., Saha, S. C., et al. (2025). Trends in Gynaecological Robotic Surgery in India: A Real-World Scenario. Multi-Institutional Study.

2.       Apollo Health City, Hyderabad – Women's Health and Robotic Surgery Division.

3.       PGIMER Chandigarh – Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Reports.

4.       Association of Gynaecological Robotic Surgeons – Annual Conference Proceedings.