Robotic surgery conducted on breast-cancer patient; Delhi hospital says 'first in north India'

New Delhi: A 37-year-old woman with a history of recurrent breast cancer has successfully undergone a less-invasive robotic oncological surgery at a Delhi hospital that has claimed it to be a first in north India.

The woman had a history of recurrent breast cancer and BRCA gene mutation.

She had undergone multiple cancer treatments and surgeries since 2017 and was admitted to the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for a bilateral breast surgery due to her being on high risk of future breast cancer, involving a combination of conventional and robotic-assisted techniques.

The surgery was carried out by a team of specialists, including Dr Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant-Surgical Oncology, Dr Arun Prasad, Senior Consultant-Gastrointestinal, Bariatric and Robotic Surgery, Dr Parag Sharma, Dr Jayanti Tumsi and Dr Sandip Bipte, the hospital said in a statement.

The patient was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2017.

Over the years, she underwent chemotherapy, multiple lumpectomies, radiotherapy and a salpingo-oophorectomy.

Her BRCA-positive status further elevated the risk of recurrence, necessitating the preventive and reconstructive bilateral breast surgery, the statement said.

After thorough evaluation and counselling, the surgical team devised a comprehensive plan that incorporated robotic technology on one side and advanced reconstructive techniques on the other, it said.

The team utilised the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System to perform a nipple-sparing mastectomy on the right breast, while the left breast, which was previously treated twice with lumpectomies and radiation, underwent conventional mastectomy and reconstruction, using a musculo-cutaneous flap and implant.

The robotic approach enabled enhanced precision and control, minimising surgical trauma and preserving the surrounding tissues. The patient tolerated the procedure well, made a swift recovery and was discharged in a stable condition, the statement said.

"This procedure represents the future of breast-cancer surgery, especially with healthy breast needs to be removed to protect for future cancer development. The case selectiveness for such surgeries must be stringent," Dr Sarin said.

She also spoke about how robotic-assisted techniques enable highly-precise excision of cancerous tissues while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues.

Commenting on the success of the procedure, Dr Prasad emphasised that the introduction of robotic breast surgery in north India marks a transformative step forward in the field of surgical oncology.

"Robotic-assisted procedures offer unmatched precision, particularly in complex cancer cases, where every millimetre matters. Such technology not only enhances surgical accuracy but also helps preserve vital structures, reduce operative trauma and deliver superior cosmetic and functional outcomes. This innovation is more than just a technological upgrade, it is a paradigm shift in how we approach cancer surgery, combining clinical excellence with compassionate, patient-centred care," he said.