Robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries are getting popular

Women need to focus on their health, says Dr Mayadevi Kurup who introduced robotic-assisted gynaecological surgery in Kerala

The first gynaecologist in Kerala to perform robotic surgery, Dr S Mayadevi Kurup, finds that COVID-19 and the resultant change in lifestyle has contributed to an increase in health issues, especially among women.

 The senior consultant - obstetrics and gynaecology at Aster Medcity has observed a spurt in the number of women coming in with reproductive health problems in the last two years.

In 2014 when she first performed robotic assisted ovarian cystectomy, she was treading a completely new road. “Robotic surgeries were relatively new in India and there was scepticism. Though over-all awareness has improved, when it comes to robotic surgeries, some have the misconception that it is a robot that performs the surgery. I have even had patients say that they prefer me to the robot. It is just that the robot holds the instruments, but it is controlled indirectly by the surgeon sitting at the console.”

Today, she has performed over 125 robotic surgeries including hysterectomies, myomectomies and cancers. “Robotic surgeries work very well in complex cases such as endometriosis, cancers etc as it has great precision. Since the instruments are connected to the robotic arms, there is very little scope for error. They can move in ways that a human wrist cannot,” she says.

Robotic surgeries afford a faster recovery period, involve lesser blood loss and post-operative pain. She performs laparoscopic and open surgeries as well.

She was trained in robotic surgery at the Surgical Intuitive Center, Atlanta, and Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, USA.

“Younger patients are more open to robotic surgeries now,” says Dr Mayadevi, who is a member of the Robotic Surgeons’ Council of India. She recalls a young woman who came to her with chronic pain because of an ovarian cyst. “When I suggested robotic surgery, she instantly agreed. I, sometimes, show patients how a robotic surgery is performed so that they can make an informed choice. It also helps to quell their doubts.”