Da Vinci robotic surgery.
Smaller cuts. Better precision. Faster home.

Both robotic and laparoscopic surgery are minimally invasive - they use small incisions and a camera rather than a large open cut. The difference is in the precision and control available to the surgeon. In standard laparoscopy, the surgeon controls long straight instruments directly through the skin, with limited range of movement. In robotic surgery using the Da Vinci System, the surgeon sits at a console and controls robotic arms that hold instruments inside the patient. These instruments articulate at their tips - bending and rotating with seven degrees of freedom, far beyond what the human wrist can achieve. The surgeon also sees the operative field in 10× magnified 3D, compared to a 2D laparoscopic view. This translates into greater precision, finer tissue handling, and better outcomes for complex urological surgery.

Yes. The Da Vinci Surgical System is available at Apollo Hospital Gurugram, Sector 26, Palam Vihar Extension, Gurugram. Dr. Nitin Shrivastava performs robotic urological surgery at Apollo - including robotic partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer, robotic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, and robotic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Apollo Gurugram is one of the premier robotic surgery centres in the Delhi NCR region.

Dr. Nitin performs robotic surgery for: kidney cancer (partial nephrectomy - kidney-sparing tumour removal; and radical nephrectomy - complete kidney removal); prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy, with nerve-sparing technique); bladder cancer (radical cystectomy with urinary diversion - ileal conduit or neobladder); upper-tract urothelial cancers (nephroureterectomy); and adrenal tumours (adrenalectomy). Robotic surgery is also used for certain reconstructive procedures such as pyeloplasty (repair of kidney-ureter junction) and vesicovaginal fistula repair.

Most patients who require a major urological operation are suitable for robotic surgery. Age alone is not a barrier - patients into their 80s undergo robotic urological surgery successfully. Relevant considerations include general fitness for anaesthesia, body mass index (very high BMI may limit access in some anatomical areas), prior abdominal surgeries (extensive adhesions can complicate laparoscopic/robotic access), and tumour stage. For kidney tumours, the size and anatomical position of the tumour on the kidney determines whether partial (nephron-sparing) or radical nephrectomy is appropriate. Dr. Nitin will review your CT or MRI and tell you clearly whether robotic surgery is the best option, and if not, what alternative is available.

Hospital stay is dramatically shorter than with open surgery. Robotic partial nephrectomy (kidney tumour removal): typically 2–3 days in hospital, back to desk work in 2–3 weeks, full activity in 4–6 weeks. Robotic radical prostatectomy (prostate cancer): 1–2 days in hospital, urinary catheter for 7–10 days, desk work in 2–3 weeks, full activity in 4–6 weeks. Robotic radical cystectomy (bladder removal): 5–7 days in hospital, more gradual recovery over 6–8 weeks. All timelines are individualised - your age, fitness, and how the operation goes affect these estimates.

The risks of any major operation - bleeding, infection, damage to adjacent structures, anaesthetic complications - exist with all approaches, including robotic. Robotic surgery is not risk-free. However, the robotic approach consistently reduces specific risks compared to open surgery: blood loss (and therefore the need for transfusion) is substantially lower; wound complication rates are lower because incisions are smaller; length of hospital stay and associated hospital-acquired infection risk is shorter. For prostate cancer, robotic surgery with nerve-sparing technique has better continence and potency preservation rates than open prostatectomy in experienced hands. The data supporting robotic approaches for kidney and prostate cancer surgery is now very strong.

Robotic surgery at Apollo Hospital Gurugram is more expensive than laparoscopic surgery because of the machine's capital cost, disposable instruments, and the additional surgical time. The total cost varies significantly by procedure type, room category, and whether medical insurance covers it. Most major health insurance policies in India cover robotic surgery when it is medically indicated - it is worth checking your policy before consultation. Dr. Nitin's team can provide an estimated cost range after reviewing your case, and the Apollo billing team will provide a formal estimate including insurance pre-authorisation guidance.