Robotic surgery has seen significant growth globally, with India emerging as a key player. Following the US FDA approval of the da Vinci system in 2000, India saw its first robotic installation at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi in 2006. Since then, the adoption of robotic surgery in India has grown exponentially.
According to the Journal of The Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons, the concept of using robotics in surgery emerged over 50 years ago, but it wasn't until the late 1980s that these technologies were actually implemented in surgical procedures.
Explaining robotic surgery, Dr Mukta Srinivasulu, Director- MNJ Hospital, said, “Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that helps patients return to their everyday life much faster, in many surgical procedures. Surgeons use the da Vinci Surgical System to operate through a few small incisions. The system includes a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate much more than the human hand.”
“As a result, surgeons have better vision, precision, and control. Other benefits include decreased pain, fewer post-operative wound infections, less post-operative scarring, and faster recovery. Reducing the chance of infection makes it an ideal procedure, especially for people with co-morbidities,” Dr Srinivasulu added.
Highlighting the efficiency of robotic surgery in ENT surgery, Dr Kalpana Nagpal, Senior Consultant ENT, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and President of WAOI (Women’s Association of Otolaryngologists of India) said, “Robotic surgery in ENT has been done by very few surgeons but is on the rise. In case of throat cancer surgery this avoids cosmetic disfigurement. Overall, the rise in numbers has been due to good outcomes and various other advantages.”
Current growth
As per a report published in Research and Markets, the adoption of robotic technology in surgical interventions has given a significant boost to the Indian healthcare sector. Major cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Kolkata now offer robotic-assisted surgical services at their healthcare facilities. Last year, India contributed around 10,000 to 11,000 robotic surgeries.
The Indian surgical robotics market was valued at ₹7.02 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach ₹12 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.80%. According to a GlobalData report, the global robotic surgery market is expected to experience significant growth, with a CAGR of approximately 9-12 per cent from 2023 to 2030.
Market Expansion and Competition
Some of the key players in robotic surgery that have contributed to its expansion in India are, Intuitive, Medtronic India, CMR Surgical, Johnson & Johnson Stryker Corporation, and Smith & Nephew.
Medtronic’s entry into the market adds to the competition by introducing the Hugo Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) system. This expansion in the range of robotic surgical platforms gives healthcare providers more options to choose from, tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Today, India has over 850 robotic-assisted trained surgeons and have over 170 da Vinci systems installed across major private and government hospitals. This includes AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER Puducherry, Tata Memorial Hospital, Max Healthcare, Narayana Health, Aster etc.
As per the data in Indian Journal of Urology, in the past 12 years, more than 12,800 surgeries have been performed using robotic assistance. Leading healthcare giants like Zimmer Biomet, and Johnson & Johnson are expanding in surgical robotics by acquiring smaller firms such as Mazor Robotics, Medtech, and Verb Surgical. These moves aim to boost their capabilities and market presence in this fast-growing sector.
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