New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Central Institute of Orthopaedics (CIO) at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital has performed its first robot-assisted total knee replacement (TKR), marking a significant step in the expansion of technology-enabled orthopaedic care in the public healthcare sector.
The procedure was carried out successfully on August 22 on a 75-year-old economically disadvantaged man. The surgery was performed free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme at the Central Government hospital.
The introduction of robot-assisted orthopaedic surgery at the institute was undertaken with the leadership and support of Dr Kavita Sharma, Director, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, with the aim of strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced surgical treatment.
The procedure was performed under the clinical guidance of Prof. Dr Sumit Sural, Director of the Central Institute of Orthopaedics. The surgical team was led by Dr Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, Consultant Professor and Head of Unit.
The orthopaedic team comprised Dr Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, Dr Dhruve Maini and Dr Kartik Yadav. The anaesthesia team was led by Dr Sushil Guria, while operating theatre nursing staff Sister Rekha and Ritika, along with technical staff led by Vijender, assisted during the surgery.
The hospital said the successful procedure demonstrated its commitment to making advanced surgical technology available to patients from economically weaker sections. Its performance free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat framework also highlights the scope for integrating robotic-assisted treatment into public healthcare.
The newly introduced robotic platform is upgradable and can currently support Total Knee Replacement, Partial Knee Replacement and Hip Joint Replacement. With future technological and software upgrades, the system may also be used for robot-assisted spine surgery, potentially expanding the range of advanced procedures available at the institute.
Robot-assisted surgery can facilitate detailed pre-operative planning and greater precision during surgical execution, particularly in implant positioning and alignment. The hospital expects the technology to strengthen its ability to provide advanced orthopaedic procedures.
The successful TKR marks the beginning of expanded robotic-assisted surgical services at the Central Institute of Orthopaedics and is expected to lay the foundation for offering a wider range of technology-driven procedures to eligible patients at the government hospital.
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