Redefining healthcare with robotic innovations

The changing spectrum in disease burden with rising incidences of communicable diseases, lifestyle diseases, growing demand for affordable healthcare, increased government involvement in healthcare investment, and the emergence of technologies such as artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotics are the major driving factors in the Indian healthcare industry. As a result, for the past few years, both the public and private sectors have been attempting to strengthen healthcare service delivery by integrating all possible solutions and driving factors.

Around the world, the healthcare sector has seen numerous advancements and developments in the digital healthcare domain, including novel drug discovery, drug delivery systems, packaging and distribution, diagnostics, and treatment approaches. One of the most significant disruptive technological advancements of the 21st century has been assistive robotic technology for surgeries. Minimally invasive operations are now nearly synonymous with robot-assisted surgeries in India’s major metropolitan cities, owing to their growing popularity.

According to a market research analysis published by Global Market Insights, the surgical robots market will surpass $5.2 billion in 2021 and will increase at a 17.6 percent annual rate from 2022 to 2030. In terms of value, the market will reach $22.8 billion by 2030.

Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS) enables doctors to perform a range of complex procedures with greater precision, flexibility, and control than conventional methods. It is commonly associated with minimally invasive surgery, which is performed through small incisions. It is also used in some traditional open-surgical procedures. Robot-assisted surgeries are becoming more popular as chronic and infectious diseases become more prevalent, as disposable incomes rise, and as the patient’s desire for less invasive treatments grows.

Following the installation of the first Da Vinci surgical robot at New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AllMS) in 2006, India has seen a significant rise in the acceptance of robot-assisted surgery (RAS). According to current data, India already has more than 70 surgical robot installations at various institutions, with hundreds of robot-assisted surgeries performed on a regular basis (RAS). According to some market estimates, more than 500 surgeons in India are trained in and use assistive robotic technology for surgeries at private and certain government facilities.

Ayanabh DebGupta
Co-founder & Director Medica Hospitals Pvt Ltd

Using Robotic-Assisted Surgery, surgeons can now offer minimally invasive and more precise options for many complex surgical procedures. The operating doctor has complete control over the procedure, which is carried out using robotic technology and equipment. Although each surgery has its own set of requirements, an RAS procedure is more rapid than a traditional one. As a result, a surgeon who uses a surgical robot can perform more procedures in a single day than a surgeon who uses traditional procedures. Typically, the wound size in robot-assisted surgery is small. This reduces the area of exposure and, as a result, the extent of infections. RAS’s increased precision level significantly reduces the possibility of problems and blood loss during the treatment. As a result of the combination of these characteristics, a patient’s post-surgery recovery is typically faster than that of traditional, open surgeries. Because of the small size of the incisions, assistive robotic technology is deemed suitable for challenging procedures.

With continued developments, robotic-assisted surgical techniques will enable surgeons to visualise, detect, observe, and perform treatments that contribute to better clinical results.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET Edge Insights, its management, or its members

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