Lanka's first-ever robotic kidney surgery

by Carol Aloysius

Inspired by human technology, robonaut technology has recently invaded almost every sphere of human activitiy whether on earth of in space. Even cars are now being assembled by robots, the first digital and programmable robot used in the car industry going back to 1961 where it was used to lift pieces of hot metal from die casting machines in New Jersey by General Motors. Since then Robots have replaced humans in assisting them to perform repetitive and dangerous tasks they prefer to avoid doing.

Just recently a robot recently landed on Mars to give earthlings their first glimpse of alien life out of space. Future space travellers can also look forward to robotically assisted surgery in space with the benefits it carries.

Robotic assisted surgery is also now gaining ground across the globe, especially in the western world..

Now for the first time this technique has been introduced in Sri Lanka, when a team of medical experts from the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital ( SJEH) performed the first ever Robotic assisted key hole surgery in removing a kidney from a patient, on Monday , April 20. The patient , was able to return to his home in Kandy after spending just a couple of days in the hospital and has reported back that he is doing fine, hospital sources told the Sunday Observer. .

Explaining the procedure used, Chief Consultant Urology & Transplant, Dr Niroshan Senevirathne said, " The Robot named Soloassist II is a specialized electronic Arm which gives internal pictures of the body organs which is controlled by the operating surgeon. The surgeon uses this camera with a Joystick as in playing a video game, to facilitate the key hole surgery. The entire kidney operation is performed through 1/2 to 1 centimetre space with one hole to insert the robotic arm and the other three or four holes to 4 holes made in the tummy to introduce the instruments."

Commenting on the benefits of the new technique, he said, "This surgery avoids the complications of traditional open surgery where the patient is left with the big cut in the tummy. Now with the introduction of the Robotic arm, it will be easier to perform complex key hole surgery including kidney donation, stone removal and prostrate surgery among other surgeries with this minimal invasive technique. The latter invention could be used in General Surgery, Thoracic, Gynaecology surgeries apart from Urology", he added.

He said, Emar Pharma Pvt Ltd ,the sole agent for Aktormed Germany Soloassist II in Sri Lanka, was responsible for introducing this technology for the first time to Sri Lanka and South East Asia.

"Our goal is to provide improved diagnostic abilities as well as a less invasive and more comfortable experience for the patient. Introducing smaller and more precise interventions will also go a long way in bringing our patient care to international standards", he said.

Endorsing his views, Dr S. Seneratne, Director Sri Jayawardenapura General hospital said that Robotic Key Hole surgery was a unique service and would be accessible to all Sri Lankan patients through the Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital in the future.