AIIMS Makes History with India's First Robotic Kidney Transplant: Patient Walks Within Hours, Discharged in a Day

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has successfully performed the country’s first robotic kidney transplant. The milestone marks a new era in precision surgery and faster patient recovery.

Speaking exclusively to TV9 Bharatvarsh, Dr. B.K. Bansal, Head of the Department of Surgery at AIIMS, shared that five patients have undergone robotic kidney transplants at the institute so far. Of these, four patients have already been discharged, while one is expected to leave the hospital within a day or two.

How Robotic Surgery is Different from Traditional Transplants
Dr. Bansal explained that in traditional kidney transplant procedures, patients generally take around 10 days to recover before being discharged. However, robotic transplants dramatically cut this time—patients can recover within five days, and some are able to walk the same day of surgery.

He added that robotic surgery offers greater precision, smaller incisions, and minimal blood loss, making the entire procedure more patient-friendly and less invasive than the manual method.

Affordable Innovation at AIIMS
Dr. Om Prakash, Additional Professor in the Department of Surgery at AIIMS, highlighted the cost difference between private and government hospitals. A robotic kidney transplant in a private setup may cost up to ₹25 lakh, whereas at AIIMS, the same procedure costs only ₹25,000.

He also pointed out that while traditional surgery typically requires around 40 stitches, robotic surgery uses just about 10 stitches, significantly reducing scarring and infection risks.

Surgery Duration and Recovery
Dr. Om Prakash further explained that the entire robotic transplant takes 4 to 5 hours. Surgeons make small buttonhole-sized incisions instead of large cuts, which minimizes trauma and promotes rapid healing.

Patients undergoing robotic kidney transplants at AIIMS reportedly experience ten times less pain compared to conventional surgery, with a shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal life.