Robotic Surgery - New Revolution in Complex Pediatric Procedures

CHENNAI, July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A 7 Year Old African Child Underwent a Complex Uro Surgery

Pediatric specialists of Apollo Hospitals successfully completed a complex surgery on the bladder base of a 7 year old child from Africa with the assistance of a Robot. The child's urethra, the tube from the urinary bladder, was crushed in a road accident.

7 year old Farhana's (Name changed) urethra got damaged in a road accident; several medical attempts that she underwent in her native place did not yield in any means. Farhana had to suffer physically and mentally with a tube hanging from her bladder to pass urine, she was brought to Apollo Hospitals Chennai in 2011 for medical assistance.

After a series of medical examinations, Pediatric Urologists of Apollo Hospitals identified that the child's bladder had been constantly draining to the outside without a control mechanism for almost a year, resulting into shrinking of the bladder capacity. A medical team under the supervision of Dr. V. Sripathi, Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Apollo Hospitals performed a novel surgery on the child in which, a flap of bladder muscle was fashioned into a tube (to act as the urethra) and tunneled to a normal position above the vagina.

Farhana was brought back to Apollo after a period of one year for medical examination, during which, it was identified that in the process of healing, Farhana's left ureter had been pulled closer to the bladder neck and urine was reversing its flow back into the kidney. As this reversal of flow would damage her kidney and cause urinary infection, a three hour robotic surgery was performed to stop the urine reflux.

Explaining the robotic surgical procedure, Dr. V. Sripathi, Consultant Pediatric Urologist, Apollo Hospitals said, "We did not perform open surgery to cease urine reflux, as it would leave Farhana again with tube to pass urine. With the help of Robotic arms, without reopening the bladder, a new bed was made in the bladder muscle and the ureter was placed in it and sutured with ease."

He further added that, "This is the first complex redo on the bladder base. Robotic surgery enabled us to achieve a perfect result in a very difficult situation with very minimal morbidity, with no pain and helped achieve discharge within a day. Robotic Surgery will revolutionize the practice of surgery in children especially in such complex situations without resorting to large incisions and prolonged hospitalization."

Post the complicated surgery, Farhana is now completely normal and as cheerful as any other child of her age.

Robotic surgery is the latest and greatest tool in the operating room. It gained rapid acceptance over the few years as the preferred mode of surgery by doctors and patients. Until recently it was primarily used for adults. Now, Robotic arms are working their surgical magic on child patients as well. Robotic surgery has made its way into the present age and is helping doctors in saving children.

About Apollo Hospitals

In 1983, Dr Prathap C Reddy, the architect of Indian healthcare, launched the first corporate hospital in India, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. Over the years, Apollo Hospitals Group has grown to become Asia's foremost integrated healthcare organizations with over 8,500 beds across 54 hospitals, more than 1200 pharmacies and over 70 primary care clinics. The Group also offers medical business process outsourcing services, health insurance services and clinical research divisions with a focus on epidemiological studies, stem cell research and genetic research. Apollo Hospitals institutionalized Quality across all its operations and 7 of the group's hospitals have been accredited by the Joint Commission International.

To develop talent for the burgeoning need of superior healthcare delivery, Apollo Hospitals Group has 11 nursing colleges and programs for hospital management and numerous endeavours for continuing medical education and clinical research. These achievements have earned Apollo Hospitals Group several accolades, including the Centre of Excellence from the Government of India. In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization in India.

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.  For over 28 years now, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. 

Apollo Hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in India and globally for advanced medical services and research and has been honoured with the trust of over 20 million patients who came from 55 countries.

For more information please visit www.apollohospitals.com

Primary Media Contact : Anjali, anjali@apollohospitals.com, 91-98-10050219

Secondary Media Contact : Shailaja, shailaja_v@apollohospitals.com, 91-98-419 28877