From Risk to Recovery: Fortis Bengaluru’s Robot-Assisted Dual Surgery Success Story

Bengaluru: In a significant global integrated surgical care, doctors at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru have successfully performed the world’s first combined robot-assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB) and robotic radical prostatectomy in a single operative session.

This extraordinary multi-disciplinary intervention was carried out on a 56-year-old US-based NRI who was simultaneously diagnosed with coronary artery disease and prostate cancer – two serious conditions that traditionally require separate major surgeries.

The highly complex surgery was performed by a coordinated team of specialists, led by Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy, Principal Director – Renal Sciences and Dr. Sudarshan G T, Director – MICS & Robotic Cardiac Surgery.

Patient, Sriram (name changed) was found to have a critical blockage in one of the major coronary arteries, which significantly reduced blood flow to the heart, though his overall heart pumping function remained normal.

At the same time, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, that was causing obstructive urinary symptoms including difficulty initiating urination, reduced urine flow, frequent urination, and a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. If left untreated, the cardiac condition carried the risk of heart attack or heart failure, while the cancer posed a risk of progression.

While both conditions are individually treatable, managing them separately would have exposed the patient to a greater cumulative risk. Following a detailed preoperative evaluation and multidisciplinary planning, doctors performed a combined robot-assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB) and robotic radical prostatectomy to address both conditions in one sitting with safety and precision.

Giving details of the cardiac surgery, Dr. Sudarshan G T, Director – MICS & Robotic Cardiac Surgery, Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, said, “Performing heart bypass surgery in a patient who also has prostate cancer requires meticulous planning and precision.

We carried out a robot-assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), using the patient’s chest artery (LIMA) to restore blood flow to the heart through small keyhole incisions without opening the chest. This approach allowed us to safely restore blood flow to the heart with less trauma, smaller incisions and faster recovery.

The procedure lasted 1.5 hours. Although combining two major surgeries under a single anaesthesia is rare, in this case it significantly helped avoid multiple major surgeries and hospital admissions, repeated exposure to anaesthesia, prolonged recovery and high risk.”

Explaining about prostate cancer surgery, Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy, Principal Director – Renal Sciences, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, added, “We carried out a 3.5-hour long robot-assisted radical prostatectomy which involved removal of the prostate and the nearby glands where cancer can spread, with temporary stents placed to protect the urine passage.

This approach offers excellent cancer control with high precision, minimal blood loss and faster recovery. Performing it in a single sitting along with cardiac surgery is highly complex, but it spares the patient the physical and emotional burden of two separate major operations. In this case, it allowed us to treat the prostate cancer immediately after heart surgery, preventing disease progression, while keeping cardiac risk under control.

The patient was discharged within 5 days, in a stable condition with a structured follow-up plan. This case truly demonstrates what integrated multicompartment robotic surgery can achieve.”

Sharing his experience, the patient said, “After an initially diagnosis in the United States I decided to travel to India upon learning that Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road was among the few centres in the world capable of offering an integrated, single-stage surgical solution using advanced robotic and minimally invasive techniques.

Being diagnosed with both heart disease and prostate cancer at the same time was overwhelming. I had not imagined that both the surgeries could happen at the same time and was mentally prepared for pro-longed suffering. Thanks to the Fortis doctors, who gave me confidence that both the ailments could be treated safely and together. I am grateful for the care, planning, and support that helped me recover smoothly.”

Dr. Ananth Rao, VP & Business Head, Fortis Hospitals Bengaluru, said,

“This world-first case underscores Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road’s leadership in delivering multidisciplinary, minimally invasive care for high-complexity patients.

Successfully performing two major robotic surgeries in a single sitting reflects not only clinical excellence, but also our strong culture of collaboration, patient safety, and evidence-based decision-making. Such outcomes reinforce our commitment to offering integrated, advanced treatment solutions for patients from India and across the world.”