Doctors at Citizens Specialty Hospital perform complex robotic surgery on 21-day-old infant with bilateral hydronephrosis

Baby Aparna (name changed) became the youngest and first in India to successfully undergo robotic kidney surgery.

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The female infant weighed 3.2 kgs, was presented with antenatal bilateral hydronephrosis (Swelling of the kidneys). After further evaluation and investigation, she was diagnosed with right pelvic ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO). It is a restriction to the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder via the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder, which if left uncorrected, may lead to progressive loss of kidney function.

The degree of a block may vary from minimal to severe. The right kidney had duplicated system and reflux and hydronephrosis into both the duplicated systems.

Dr Banu Teja Reddy, Consultant, Urology, along with Anesthetic team led by Dr Muralidhar Joshi at Citizens Specialty Hospital assisted in the successful robotic pyeloplasty procedure. Pyeloplasty is a minimally invasive (Robotic) surgical procedure to correct narrowed or blocked Ureteropelvic Junction or UPJ due to a birth defect. Robotic Pyeloplasty utilizes robotic instruments for the procedure that will include removing the obstructed part and restoring the normal ureter (tube connecting the Bladder and kidney) take advantage of more precise suturing and reconstruction. The procedure was successful, and the baby was discharged within 72 hours.

Dr Prabhakar P, Regional Chief Operating Officer, said, "Robotic surgery is the paradigm of the most advanced form of minimally invasive surgery. Although earlier robot-assisted surgeries were technically difficult to perform in pediatric, however, the trend is changing.

At Citizens Specialty Hospital, we have performed 75+ pediatric robotic surgeries. We offer multiple complex robotic-assisted urological surgeries to ensure minimal pain and faster recovery. Citizens Specialty Hospital is committed to offering cutting-edge technology and a holistic approach for all our patients, by our highly experienced & skilled teams.”

Elaborating on the procedure, Prof Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy, Senior Consultant in Urology, Robotic Surgeon, Citizen Specialty Hospital said, “Robot-assisted pyeloplasty in children is safe and effective with excellent outcomes, even in challenging anatomical cases. Robotic technology allows for three-dimensional visualization, motion scaling, tremor filtering, an ergonomic seated position, and wristed instrument motion allowing freedom better than open surgical instruments.

There is significant magnification which allows the surgeon to clearly visualize minute structures in small children. This allows the surgery to be precise and the magnification can be adjusted from 5 times to 10 times. When compared to traditional surgery, robotics offers several benefits like minimal postoperative pain, early return to normal activity for the parents too as children recover faster, minute incision scar, burden of post-op visits/studies.

There is a significant difference between the outcomes of robotic-assisted surgery when compared to open surgery.”

Citizens Specialty Hospital provides specialty healthcare based on world-class standards of care and evidence-based protocols across a broad range of medical specialities for inpatients and outpatients.

The hospital offers a wide range of services including prevention, screening, assessment, and treatment. Experts from more than 30 specialties and super-specialties make up the Citizens Specialty Hospital team. Specialists with extensive knowledge, training, and tools offer patients a broad range of cutting-edge therapy options, diagnostic procedures, preventive medical advice, and personalized attention, all aimed at achieving the best possible outcome for each patient.

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