Robo-surgeries soar as codes outslice scalpel

AI is adding to the efficiency of surgical procedures through predictive analytics, clinical decision support and diagnostic precision, report Shine Jacob & Sohini Das

- Shine Jacob & Sohini Das

In 2010, Rajinikanth's movie Robot had a scene of a humanoid robot conducting a delivery in an operation theatre, which gave viewers goosebumps. It was just four years after India saw its first robotic surgery involving a four-armed Da Vinci surgical system at AIIMS in Delhi.

Fast forward to 2025, robotic surgeries are no longer a rarity in the India. Industry estimates indicate that the country has so far witnessed over 150,000 robot-assisted surgeries, in addition to fully robotic surgeries.

The country is now seeing over 12,000 robotic procedures performed by around 1,000 surgeons annually.

According to industry experts, artificial intelligence (AI) is adding to the efficiency of these procedures through predictive analytics, clinical decision support through personalised treatment pathways and diagnostic precision, use of generative AI for clinical documentation, and real-time Al-driven insights supporting efficient resource allocation and decision-making.

AI can reduce operation times by around 15 per cent. With 5G and telemedicine evolving further, such procedures are even done remotely now. If numbers are to be believed, India is fast becoming a destination for international patients seeking robotic surgeries, due to at least a 50 per cent cost advantage compared to countries like the United States and those in Europe. The majority of patients opting for India are from the US, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Oman, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Driven by global interest, India's surgical robotics market is expected to grow reportedly from around $900 million now to almost $4 billion by the financial year 2031 (FY31).