Dr Devendra Kumar Babbar, Senior Consultant, Urology and Robotic Surgery, Yatharth Hospital, Greater Noida
For many patients, the word “surgery” still brings to mind long hospital stays, painful stitches, and weeks of slow recovery. This fear often leads people to delay treatment, especially for urological problems like kidney tumors or prostate issues. In India, prostate enlargement affects nearly 60 percent of men over the age of 60, and kidney cancer cases have been steadily rising, with many detected at advanced stages. But in recent years, robotic-assisted surgery has quietly changed the face of urology. By using small instruments controlled through a robotic system, doctors can now perform complex procedures with greater safety, less pain, and much faster healing. This shift is giving patients the confidence to seek timely treatment, without the fear of traditional open surgery.
How Robotic Surgery Works
Robotic surgery is not performed by a machine on its own. Instead, it is fully controlled by a trained surgeon who operates from a console. The robot’s arms translate the surgeon’s hand movements with higher accuracy and stability. A 3D high-definition camera gives the doctor a magnified view inside the body, making it easier to work around delicate tissues. Through small keyhole-sized cuts, complex urology procedures can be performed without the need for large incisions.
Common Urological Conditions Treated
Robotic surgery is now used widely in several important urology cases. In prostate cancer, especially among older men, robotic surgery helps remove the prostate gland while protecting surrounding nerves, preserving urinary function. For kidney cancer, robotic tools allow the tumor to be removed while saving healthy parts of the kidney. In young adults with pelviureteric junction obstruction, where urine flow is blocked, robotic repair offers long-term relief with faster recovery. It is also used in selected cases of bladder cancer or difficult urinary tract surgeries.
Faster Recovery, Less Pain
One of the main advantages of robotic surgery is how much easier it makes recovery. Patients usually experience less pain after surgery, have lower chances of infection or blood loss, and are able to leave the hospital sooner. Many can walk the next day and return to light activities within a week or two, depending on the type of surgery. Scars are smaller, and post-operative discomfort is minimal. For cancer patients, timely and precise surgery also improves long-term health outcomes.
A Technology That Needs Wider Reach
Despite its clear benefits, robotic urological surgery is still mainly available in big cities or larger hospitals. Many patients in smaller towns are not aware that such an option exists or assume it is too expensive. However, with more hospitals in India adopting robotic systems and trained specialists becoming available, access is improving. The cost of robotic surgery has also come down significantly in recent years.
A Better Future for Urology Patients
Robotic-assisted surgery is transforming the experience of urological care. It replaces fear with confidence, pain with comfort, and long recoveries with quicker returns to normal life. For patients, this technology represents not just a medical breakthrough, but a chance to face serious health problems with hope and dignity. As awareness grows and access expands, robotic urology surgery is set to become the standard of care across the country.