~ New initiative focused on advancing robotic surgery, digital surgery and remote surgical collaboration ~Chennai, 13 March 2026: Apollo Hospitals Chennai has launched the Apollo Institute of Robotics & Telesurgery (ART), a new initiative aimed at advancing robotic surgery, digital surgery and remote surgical collaboration. The announcement was made during the 6th Apollo International Colorectal Symposium (AICRS) 2026, which brought together leading surgeons, scientists and technology pioneers from across the world to discuss the future of colorectal cancer surgery and technology-enabled care. The symposium highlighted the rapid evolution of technology-driven colorectal care, with discussions focused on robotic surgery, digital surgical platforms and emerging telesurgical innovations that are transforming surgical access and outcomes globally. A major highlight presented during the symposium was the Apollo Rectal Cancer (ARC) Programme at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai a comprehensive multidisciplinary initiative designed for the management of complex rectal cancers. The programme integrates colorectal surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, specialist nurses, nutritionists and rehabilitation experts to deliver coordinated, patient-centred cancer care.  Another milestone highlighted was the growing adoption of robotic colorectal surgery at Apollo Hospitals. Dr. Venkatesh Munikrishnan and his team have completed over 1,000 robotic colorectal procedures, including one of the largest personal series of robotic rectal cancer resections in the region. This experience has helped position Apollo Hospitals Chennai as a subspecialist centre for rectal cancer treatment and an important training hub for advanced robotic colorectal surgery, attracting surgeons and fellows from across India and internationally. Speaking about the initiative, Prof Dr Venkatesh Munikrishnan, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon & Clinical Lead Institute of Colorectal Surgery and Chairperson AICRS 2026 said, “Rectal cancer treatment today requires a highly coordinated multidisciplinary approach. The Apollo Rectal Cancer Programme was developed to ensure patients benefit from the combined expertise of surgeons, oncologists and allied specialists working together to deliver personalised, evidence-based care. The integration of technologies such as robotic surgery has significantly enhanced surgical precision, particularly in complex pelvic procedures, improving outcomes while preserving quality of life.” Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Founder Chairman and CEO, SS Innovations, said, “Robotic surgery has already transformed how complex operations are performed by enabling greater precision, control and visualisation for surgeons. The next natural progression is telesurgery, which will redefine how surgical expertise is delivered across geographies. Technologies such as the Mantrasana telesurgery platform are designed to bridge the gap between centres of excellence and hospitals that may not have access to subspecialist expertise, ensuring that patients, regardless of location, can benefit from the highest standards of surgical care.”Looking ahead to the next phase of surgical innovation, Apollo Hospitals announced the launch of the Apollo Institute of Robotics and Telesurgery (ART), a new initiative aimed at advancing robotic surgery, digital surgery and remote surgical collaboration. Present at the launch were Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer - Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals and Mr. Karan Puri, Chief Executive Officer - Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Teynampet & Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. Co-chaired by Prof Dr Steven D Wexner, System Chief, Colorectal Surgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, USA and Prof. Manish Chand, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon & Associate Professor, University College London, UK and hosted by the Institute of Colorectal Surgery at Apollo Hospitals Chennai, AICRS 2026 reflects a decade-long effort to advance subspecialisation in colorectal surgery, transforming what was once a general surgical field into a highly specialised discipline driven by precision, technology and multidisciplinary cancer care.Click here to know more.

A multidisciplinary team at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, has successfully performed a robotic hysterectomy on a 37-year-old woman diagnosed with Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia, a rare genetic condition that severely impairs the blood’s ability to clot and can lead to life-threatening bleeding episodes.    L to R: Dr. Punit Jain - Sr Consultant Hematology, Hemato Oncology & Program Coordinator Bone Marrow Transplant & CAR T-cell Therapy, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, Mrs. Neelam Yadav (Patient), Dr. Tripti Dubey - Sr Consultant Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Robotic Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, and Mr. Sudhir Yadav (Patient's husband). The patient had endured years of severe menstrual bleeding that often required hospitalisation and blood transfusions. During a recent episode, her haemoglobin level dropped to a critically low 4 g/dL, prompting doctors to recommend a hysterectomy as a definitive solution to prevent recurrent bleeding and improve her long-term quality of life. Doctors also noted that the woman had previously delivered a child through a Caesarean section and required multiple blood and platelet transfusions at the time due to complications related to her underlying bleeding disorder. Surgery in patients with Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia is particularly complex due to the risk of uncontrolled bleeding, even from minor surgical interventions. To mitigate these risks, the clinical team opted for a robotic assisted minimally invasive procedure. The surgery was led by Dr. Tripti Dubey (Senior Consultant – Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Robotic Surgery, Apollo Hospitals) in collaboration with Dr. Punit Jain (Consultant – Haematology, Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, Apollo Hospitals), combining expertise in robotic gynaecology and haematology to carefully manage the patient’s clotting disorder. The surgery was completed with near-zero intraoperative blood loss and without the need for transfusion during the procedure — a remarkable achievement given the patient’s underlying condition. Following a monitored postoperative recovery, the patient stabilised well and was able to resume routine activities soon afterward. This case underscores the growing role of robotic surgery in managing complex, high-risk conditions. By enabling enhanced precision, smaller incisions, and improved control during delicate procedures, robotic platforms are helping clinicians expand the boundaries of safe surgical care for patients with rare and challenging disorders. 

In a landmark procedure on World Hearing Day (March 3, 2026), Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Chennai, successfully performed Tamil Nadu’s first Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™ implant surgery on a nine-year-old girl from Bangladesh. Born with severe to profound hearing loss, she will now begin a structured post-operative program to optimize speech and language development.  Led by Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan C, Senior Consultant, ENT and Head & Neck Robotic Surgeon, the team employed the Cochlear Nucleus Nexa — the world’s first smart cochlear implant powered by the NEXOS™ chipset — positioning Apollo Children’s Hospitals among the early centres in India to offer this next-generation technology. This system supports firmware upgrades, allowing future improvements without additional surgery. Its advanced signal processing and stimulation technologies enhance sound clarity in challenging listening environments, supporting better speech recognition and communication. In the coming weeks, the child will enter the next phase of treatment, during which the external sound processor will be activated and programmed to optimise hearing outcomes. She is recovering well and remains under careful clinical observation as part of the post-operative care protocol. Dr. Venkatakarthikeyan emphasized, “Consistent access to sound through this future-ready technology can significantly aid a child’s speech, language, and cognitive development while fostering social engagement.” Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO – Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals, added, “This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge hearing solutions to children across India and neighbouring countries. We continue to invest in advanced technologies and multidisciplinary care to ensure the best long-term outcomes.” The introduction of this technology expands treatment options for paediatric hearing loss in Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions, offering renewed hope for improved communication, academic progress, and overall quality of life. 

Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, has further strengthened its diagnostic imaging capabilities with the installation of South India’s first Samsung GF85 floor-mounted Digital Radiography system. This milestone forms part of a comprehensive radiology upgrade that also includes a GC85A ceiling-mounted system and two GM85A mobile units, enhancing imaging access across clinical settings.  The new system is designed to improve operational efficiency through automated positioning and intelligent detector tracking, enabling faster examinations with consistent image quality. These features support accurate diagnosis while reducing patient repositioning and repeat exposures. The system adds flexibility for a wide range of routine and complex radiographic studies, supporting streamlined workflows for clinicians. In addition, the deployment of two GM85A mobile units enables high-quality bedside imaging in intensive care units, emergency areas, and inpatient wards — particularly benefiting critically ill and immobile patients by reducing the need for physical transfers. This integrated digital radiography suite enhances turnaround times, supports low-dose imaging protocols, and strengthens clinical decision-making across specialties. The initiative reflects Apollo Hospitals continued focus on clinical excellence, technology-led innovation, and patient safety, ensuring that advanced diagnostics remain accessible, efficient, and aligned with best clinical practices. With this development, Apollo Hospitals Financial District continues to set benchmarks in modern diagnostic care, reinforcing its position as a leader in advanced healthcare delivery.