In a remarkable display of surgical precision and endurance, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh has etched its name in medical history. The institute's Department of Urology successfully performed four robotic radical prostatectomies for prostate cancer in a single day, a feat believed to be a world record for a single robotic system.
A Surgical Marathon on New Year's Day
The record-setting surgical marathon took place on January 1, 2026, starting at 8 am and concluding at 5 pm. The entire session was masterfully led by Prof Santosh Kumar, the head of the urology department at PGIMER. Each procedure, which included the critical patient turnover and system preparation time, was completed in an average of two hours. This highlights not just speed, but an exceptional level of coordination and sustained focus from the entire team over the nine-hour period.
Robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a minimally invasive surgery regarded as the gold standard for treating localized prostate cancer. It offers significant advantages over traditional open surgery, including better cancer control, higher rates of preserving urinary continence, and improved chances of retaining sexual function.
Teamwork and "Pit-Stop" Efficiency
Prof Kumar was quick to attribute this groundbreaking achievement to seamless teamwork. The anaesthesia team played a crucial role by ensuring swift and safe inductions and recoveries for each patient. Meanwhile, the nursing and technical staff managed the rapid sterilisation and re-docking of the single da Vinci robotic surgical system with what was described as "pit-stop" efficiency, reminiscent of Formula 1 racing.
This achievement surpasses the previous known benchmark of three such procedures in a day. No other medical centre globally has documented performing four complex robotic prostatectomies in one day using a single system. All four patients recovered smoothly without any complications. This efficiency also has a wider benefit, as it helps reduce the waiting time for other patients needing access to the limited robotic surgery infrastructure at the public institution.
The Pioneer Behind the Feat: Prof Santosh Kumar
The driving force behind this record is Prof Santosh Kumar, a leading uro-oncologist and robotic surgeon with over 28 years of experience and more than 25,000 urological surgeries to his credit. A professor in PGIMER's Department of Urology, his qualifications include MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Urology), and FRCS.
Widely recognised as a pioneer of robotic urology in India, Prof Kumar has developed several innovative techniques in minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery. One procedure for the endoscopic management of urethral strictures is internationally known as the "Santosh PGI Technique," published in 2013. His accolades include the Chandigarh Ratan Award (2019), the Marudhara Jodhpur Urology Award, and international travel fellowships.
This is not his first time pushing boundaries; he had previously performed three robotic prostatectomies in a single day during the challenging Covid-19 period. His relentless work has significantly advanced surgical outcomes for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer patients while democratizing access to cutting-edge robotic care at a public-sector hospital like PGIMER.
