First Robotic Surgery Unit in Sukkur by SIUT

SUKKUR: The First Robotic Surgery Unit was developed in Sukkur by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) and the Sindh Government.

Azra Fazal Pechuho inaugurated the centre of excellence in robotic surgery at the SIUT Chablani Medical Centre in Sukkur.

She noted that Robotic Surgery is regarded as the next generation of Surgical Sciences and will also serve thousands of patients in Sukkur's neighbouring cities, including Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahr-e-Farouze, and Benazirabad.

Dr Adib Rizvi, director of SIUT, stated that a centre of excellence in robotic surgery had been developed in Sukkur as part of the SIUT's mission to remain at the forefront of technology for the benefit of the common man. 

SIUT wants to establish a regional robotic training centre to educate Pakistani and regional surgeons of the future. Dr Rehan Mohsin, an expert in robotic surgery at SIUT, stated on this occasion that robotic procedures have several advantages for patients, including significantly less scarring, less pain, less blood loss, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, faster recoveries, and in many cases better clinical outcomes.

Following Urological Procedures, the institution in Sukkur will perform colorectal and gynaecological surgeries. The cost of each SIUT surgery is approximately 2 lakh rupees. However, the benefits to the patient considerably surpass the expense, and the surgery is free for the patient.

Dr Rehan also described the surgical technique. He stated that the surgeon sits beside the patient at a control station. An assisting surgeon is present at the patient's bedside. The surgeon observes the operation field using a video camera and controls numerous robotic arms from the console, which imitate the surgeon's movements. The operation is conducted laparoscopically, which is less invasive because it requires few punctures as opposed to a huge incision. This means that less time is necessary for recovery. Most patients return to regular activities in two to three weeks instead of the typical six to eight weeks after traditional open surgery.

At SIUT Karachi, over 1200 Robotic Surgeries have been done so far. The SIUT, with the assistance of the Sindh government, has acquired from Cambridge Medical Robotics two Robotic Surgical Units (CMR).