Indian Government Hospital Shows Pioneering Robotic Cardiac Technique

A collaborative team from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital has set a new global benchmark by performing the first robotic aortic‑ventricular valve replacement on an adult with two extremely rare birth defects. Under the leadership of Dr. Kavita Sharma and Professor Dr. Anubhav Gupta, the operation combined pre‑operative 3‑D CT imaging with a robotic platform that was reoriented to operate from the left side of the chest due to the patient’s dextrocardia. The minimally invasive technique eliminated the need for a traditional sternum split, offering precise valve replacement with minimal blood loss and reduced postoperative pain. The patient’s rapid recuperation highlights the potential of public sector hospitals in India to deliver advanced, low‑invasive cardiac surgery on par with private and international centers.