SIUT opens first Robotic Surgery Unit in Sukkur

SUKKUR: Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) and Sindh Government established the First Robotic Surgery Unit at Sukkur.

The centre of excellence in robotic surgery was inaugurated today by Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho (Minister of Health, Government of Sindh) at SIUT Chablani Medical Centre, Sukkur.

Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho in her address said that it is a great honour for me being here with my mentor and my teacher “Prof. Adib Rizvi”. She said that we are focusing to improve health services in Sindh and providing the State-of-the-art Robotic Surgery at the doorsteps of the Patients. Our MNAs and MPAs are there to provide full support to SIUT. She pointed out that Robotic Surgery is considered the future generation of Surgical Sciences and it will also benefit thousands of patients in surrounding cities of Sukkur including Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze and Benazirabad.

Dr Adib Rizvi Director SIUT highlighted the SIUT ethos which is “Free treatment with dignity”. He said that centre of excellence in robotic surgery is established at Sukkur as part of the SIUT philosophy to remain at the cutting edge of technology for the benefit of a common man. He said it is the shining example of Community Government Partnership and SIUT plans to set up a regional robotic training center to train the next generation of surgeons both from within Pakistan and the region.

On this occasion, the SIUT robotic surgery expert Dr Rehan Mohsin said that Robotic procedures have several benefits to the patients including significantly less scar, less pain, less blood loss, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery time, and better clinical outcomes in many cases.

The unit at Sukkur has started with Urological Surgeries to be followed by colorectal and gynecological surgeries. The cost of each surgery to SIUT is around Rs. 2 Lakh but these costs far outweigh the benefit to the patients and is also free of cost for the patient.

Dr Rehan also explained the operative procedure. He said the surgeon sits at a controlling console near the patient. An assistant surgeon is at the bedside next to the patient. Through a video camera, the surgeon watches the operative field and controls several robotic arms from the console, which replicate the surgeon’s movements. The operation is performed laparoscopically, meaning it is less invasive because it requires small punctures rather than a large incision. That means less time is required to heal. Most patients return to normal activity in 2-to-3 weeks instead of the 6-to-8 weeks’ common in standard open surgery.

Thus far, more than 1200 Robotic Surgeries have been performed at SIUT Karachi. The SIUT with the help of the Sindh Government has acquired two Robotic Surgical Units from Cambridge Medical Robotics (CMR).