Dr. Narasimhaiah shed light on the significant accomplishments and the intricacies of robotic colorectal surgery. He highlighted that the hospital has performed a wide range of colorectal robotic surgerieswith a yearly average of 50 operations. Robotic colorectal surgery involves utilising a human-assisted robot for complex operations on the colon and rectum, particularly for cancer cases. This advanc d form of laparoscopic or keyhole surgery has proven to be highly effective in treating various conditions such as colonic cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, recurrent colorectal cancers, and pelvic cancers.

To facilitate robotic colorectal surgery, a dedicated minimally invasive surgical theatre and a surgical robotic system arerequired. Here at Apollo hospitals, Bangalore we have an Intuitive Da Vinci XI system. Apollo Hospital Bannerghatta Road is one among very few hospitals in India to have ensured the availability of these essential infrastructural requirements. The hospital also prides itself on having skilled, robotically trained support staff and a supportive administration that nurtures and advances this program.

Discussing the precision and skill required for robotic colorectal surgery, Dr. Narasimhaiah emphasised that it demands expertise in minimally invasive surgery, along with a deep understanding of the technical aspects of robotics. “Surgeons must possess the right attributes and skills. Hand-eye coordination, spatial orientation, situational awareness, lateral thinking, and patience are only some of them. Robotic surgery provides a stable platform, increased depth perception, a wider range of movements, high visibility, smaller scars, quicker recovery, and faster return to daily activities. It is important that surgeons must have an artistic approach: as human anatomy serves as a canvas and the surgeons serve as artists, striving for the best possible patient care. Robotics adds more precision and enhanced outcome to it,” said Dr. Narasimhaiah.

Dr. Narasimhaiah’s accreditation as the first European Board accredited Robotic Colorectal Surgeon in India adds another accolade to his already impressive profile. Having undergone extensive training in Europe and America, Dr. Narasimhaiah has gained the competence required to undertake precision-based onco-surgery for the benefit of patients in India. He holds the position of Associate Professor of Surgery at Apollo Hospitals and is the Head of Colorectal Services in the Karnataka region. Dr. Narasimhaiah is also the Director of Health Sciences Park (HSP) in Bangalore and plays a vital role in advancing colorectal surgery at Apollo Institute of Colorectal Surgery (AICRS).

Speaking about the extensive training required for conducting robotic colorectal surgeries, Dr. Narasimhaiah said: “You need skill sets of a minimally invasive surgeon to become a highly skilled robotic colorectal surgeon. There is a need for good hand eye coordination, spatial orientation, situational awareness, lateral thinking and patience, for which adequate training is required. Most of the art of robotic surgery needs passion, patience and perseverance. There is a steep learning curve incorporating theoretical base, absorption of the principles of minimally invasive surgery, simulation on dry labs, hands on with wet cadaveric labs followed by immersion programs both in reach and outreach. He underwent his training at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, the Royal London Hospital in London, the Christie Hospital in Manchester, Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York and The Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon. These are mainly fellowships spanning between a few weeks to a couple of years with structured training and signing off. In India, industry and institutions are gradually driving the training.”

Dr. Narasimhaiah’s expertise spans various areas of colorectal surgical oncology, including cancer surgeries – colonic, rectal, anal, appendiceal, pelvic, and peritoneal.

He added: “The Apollo Hospital’s vision emphasising on a combination of human touch and technological precision, has been instrumental in the hospital’s success and in helping patients recover from complex conditions through the precision touch of robotics and skills of doctors matching the global standards.”