My rendezvous with the surgical robot “Versius” during Covid 19

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world and impacted multiple layers of our society. All frontline workers and in particular those in direct contact with patients have been exposed to major risks. In an effort to mitigate pathogen spread and protect healthcare workers and patients, medical services have been largely altered to suit conduction of surgeries as well as general healthcare delivery. This alteration has unfortunately posed a substantial burden for patients and in most cases, immense economic loss for healthcare institutions. However, the entry and introduction of robotic technology has created newer opportunities for healthcare delivery in this COVID era, fruits of which I am successfully witnessing in my own professional sphere. In my opinion, the integration of a robot as a shielding layer, physically separating the healthcare worker and patient, today is a powerful tool to combat the omnipresent fear of pathogen contamination and maintain surgical volumes.

The Versius robotic surgical system was introduced as a solution to minimize the shortcomings of conventional surgery. Robots bring improved visualization and greater dexterity to conventional surgery through delivery of advanced technologies such as 3D imaging, tremor filter, and articulated instruments. Robotic surgery especially with the Versius Robotic System is an outstanding example of advancement in technology which has changed the way complex surgeries are being conducted. This system is truly a game changer. The added benefit is that eventually robotic surgery is going to be cost-effective proving to be a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

There have always been doubts about the affordability of robotic surgery and more so for the patients in the Asian and developing countries. With the entry of many newer Robotic systems in the field, people are becoming more aware of health insurance and benefits of robotic surgery. Many of the general surgeries are falling under the domain of robotic surgery and patients are opting for this technology for their complex surgical procedures. As such, this hi-tech surgery will gradually become affordable in recent years and be within the reach of the general masses who also need to reap the benefits of this technology.

Most importantly, Robotic surgery has been proven to be safer during the COVID situation. This is because, in this surgery, once the keyholes are made, the surgeon operates sitting at a console be 3 to 10 metres away with hardly any staff near the patient, highly reducing the risk of transmission and infection. There is minimal proximity with the patient as the lead doctor talks through a microphone and two-way audio system, with barely any face-to-face interactions.

Today, I feel humbled by the overwhelming response and impact of my work. During the COVID pandemic, I had to carry on my surgeries on some of my needy and patients needing urgent intervention and I was surprised to see the increasing acceptance and willingness of people to undergo robotic surgery even for benign conditions those are amenable
and can be accomplished with non-robotic methods. We have successfully completed over 150 Robotic procedures till date with Versius since we acquired the Robot a year back. Being one a Robotic Surgeon with such experience I was recently invited to address surgeons. To my honour, I have recently addressed surgeons across the globe for one of the first Webinar organized in collaboration with one of the top institutes of the country that addressed the Surgeons of Pakistan and Bangladesh on invitation. The Pakistan Webinar was also the first of its kind Robotic programme of that country. As such, I have been invited by the neighbouring countries to establish robotic centres there and of course to train surgeons. I believe technology reaches its zenith once it reaches the masses.

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By Prof. Dr. Subhash Khanna MS, FRCS Edn, FICS, FIAGES, FALS Chief Medical Director and Head, Department of Minimal Access, Gastro Intestinal and Robotic Surgery, Swagat Super Speciality Surgical Institute Email : profsubhashkhanna@gmail.com

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