Gem Hospital performs India’s First Dual-Console Robotic Telesurgery connecting Chennai and Gujarat
Chennai, April 8, 2026: GEM Hospital has achieved a significant medical milestone by successfully performing India’s first dual-console long-distance robotic telesurgery, connecting Chennai and Vapi, nearly 1,500 kilometres apart.
The complex procedure was carried out on a 23-year-old patient using the Mizzo Endo 4000 robotic system developed by Meril Life Sciences. The surgery was led remotely by Dr. P. Senthilnathan from Gujarat, while a supporting surgical team operated alongside the patient in Chennai.
Press meet Youtube Video link 👇
The patient, who had been suffering from severe Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), underwent a robotic fundoplication procedure. This involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to strengthen the valve and prevent acid reflux. The surgery was completed successfully, and the patient was discharged within a few days and is reported to be recovering well.
The multidisciplinary team included Dr. Magnus Jayaraj, Dr. Pinak Dasgupta, Dr. Sreeram Seshadhri, Dr. Cibhi S. P, and Dr. Ashwini Krishnamurthy, in addition to Dr. Senthilnathan.
Dr. C. Palanivelu, Chairman of GEM Hospitals, described the development as a step towards “democratising surgical expertise,” noting that the integration of advanced robotic systems allows top specialists to reach patients irrespective of geographic barriers. He also highlighted that the deployment of the Mizzo Endo 4000 marks the introduction of such an indigenous robotic platform in South India.
Dr. Senthilnathan emphasised that the dual-console capability represents a major leap from the traditional single-operator telesurgery model. He noted that the seamless coordination between surgeons across such a long distance created an experience comparable to operating side-by-side, with significant implications for mentoring, training and handling complex cases.
Robotic surgery in India has been steadily advancing, though long-distance telesurgery remains in its early stages. Most previously reported cases have followed a single-surgeon remote model. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of collaborative robotic surgery and underscores India’s growing capabilities in high-end medical technology.
Experts believe that such innovations could transform healthcare delivery by enabling specialists in metropolitan centres to perform or assist in surgeries in remote and underserved regions. The successful use of an indigenously developed platform also reflects the progress of India’s “Make in India” initiative in the field of advanced medical robotics.
****
