New Delhi: The world’s first robotic weight loss telesurgery has been conducted across a distance of 900 kilometres between the SS Innovations HQ in Gurugram and the Mohak Bariatric and Robotic Surgery Centre in Indore, using the indigenously developed SSI Mantra surgical robotics platform. The procedures involved an advanced form of bariatric surgery to reduce the the stomach size and rerouting the digestive tract to improve metabolic weight and enable long-term weight loss called One-Anastomosos Gastric Bypass (OAGB). The surgery was conducted by renowned bariatric surgeon, Founder and Director of Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics, Mohit Bhandari.
Dr Sudhir Srivastava in the middle left and Dr Mohit Bhandari in the middle right, celebrating the successful procedures. (Image Credit: SSI).
The successful telesurgery is a transformative leap in minimally invasive surgery, opening new doors for telesurgical intervention, especially in remote and underserved regions. Dr Bhandari said, “Today, India didn’t just participate in the future of surgery – we led it. With the SSI Mantra 3, we have not only demonstrated the immense potential of robotic telesurgery, but also redefined the boundaries of surgical care. And we did it using a Made-in-India system, developed by an Indian team, on Indian soil. Performing the world’s first robotic tele-weight loss surgery right here at home is a moment of immense national and professional pride. This milestone represents a bold new paradigm for access, equity, and excellence in healthcare.”
A leap forward in India’s healthcare landscape
Founder, Chairman and CEO of SSII, Sudhir Srivastava said, “This is a defining moment not just for Indian surgery, but for the future of global healthcare. With telesurgery powered by SSI Mantra – designed in India, for the world, we are bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring that world-class surgical expertise reaches even the most remote regions. By successfully performing surgeries across borders, we have shown that distance is no longer a barrier to advanced medical care. We are not just pushing technological boundaries; we are fulfilling our mission to democratize robotic surgery. Telesurgery is revolutionizing healthcare by eliminating the need for patients to travel, making advanced surgical care truly accessible and affordable.” The SSI Mantra is the first surgical robotics platform to be certified by CDSCO for telesurgeries.