For a patient preparing for surgery, the central concern is rarely the sophistication of technology in the operating room. To them, what matters most is reassurance that the procedure will be safe, recovery will be smooth and life can return to normal as quickly as possible. Over the past decade, robotic-assisted surgery has steadily strengthened that promise, allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision, smaller incisions and faster recovery for patients.
Robotics has already transformed surgical practice in profound ways. Through magnified three-dimensional visualisation and highly articulated instruments that translate the surgeon’s movements with remarkable accuracy, delicate procedures can now be performed with a level of control that was difficult to achieve through conventional approaches. For patients, this often means reduced blood loss, less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to daily life.
In India, robotic surgery is widely used across specialities where precision is critical. Its strongest presence is in oncology, urology and gynaecology, particularly for cancers and complex pelvic procedures, where it enables accurate tumour removal and better functional outcomes. It is also expanding in cardiac and thoracic surgery, orthopaedics for joint replacements and neurosurgery.
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Also, marking a first, a robotic Strassmann metroplasty was performed in a woman, correcting a rare congenital uterine condition that can severely impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The successful procedure significantly improved her chances of carrying a pregnancy safely in the future.
Yet, while robotic surgery has improved precision within the operating room, another challenge has remained beyond it, which is the challenge of distance. In countries like India, advanced surgical expertise is still concentrated in a relatively small number of urban centres. Patients from smaller towns frequently travel long distances to access specialised care. These journeys can involve delays, logistical stress and in some cases postponement of treatment altogether. Geography has quietly shaped the delivery of health care for generations.
Addressing this, telerobotic surgery represents the next stage in the evolution of surgical care. By allowing surgeons to guide robotic instruments remotely, often from hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away, it becomes possible for specialised expertise to reach patients without requiring them to travel. Instead of the patient journeying to the surgeon, the surgeon’s capability can effectively travel to the patient.
This shift has the potential to redefine access to advanced care. Hospitals in smaller cities can collaborate with highly specialised surgical teams in larger centres. Complex procedures can be guided in real time by sub-specialists, strengthening the confidence and capability of local clinical teams. Over time, such collaboration can help build a more balanced and resilient health care system.
At Apollo Hospitals, robotics has evolved into a comprehensive surgical ecosystem that integrates advanced technology with disciplined clinical training and governance. Earlier this year, the Apollo Institute of Robotics & Telesurgery (ART) was launched, marking a significant step forward in this journey. The initiative was designed to expand remote surgical collaboration, enabling sub-specialists in major hubs to assist or perform surgeries in distant centres while integrating digital surgery capabilities that bring real-time data and AI-supported insights into the operating room.
At large though, technology alone does not transform health care. Its real value lies in how thoughtfully it is woven into clinical practice. Telerobotic surgery depends on reliable digital infrastructure, highly trained teams on both ends and rigorous protocols that keep patient safety at the centre. It must advance with care, guided by evidence and the principle that every innovation should strengthen outcomes. When that balance holds, robotics can reshape surgery in meaningful ways. Expertise can travel, collaboration can deepen, and access to advanced care can extend beyond traditional limits. In the end, distance fades, and what remains is the quiet reach of care finding every life it is meant to touch.
Dr Preetha Reddy is Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.