PGIMER Chandigarh Leads India’s First Robotic Vasovasostomy
Chandigarh: In a significant development in the field of urology, doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, have performed India’s first robot-assisted vasovasostomy, a procedure used to reverse vasectomy in men.
The surgery was carried out by a team from the Department of Urology at PGIMER, using the advanced da Vinci robotic surgical system. The team included Dr. Aditya Prakash Sharma and Dr. Girdhar Bora, both Additional Professors, and Prof. Ravi Mohan.
The patient, a 43-year-old man with secondary infertility following a vasectomy, underwent the robot-assisted procedure and was discharged the following day. Vasovasostomy is a microsurgical technique that reconnects the severed ends of the vas deferens, thereby restoring fertility in men who have previously undergone vasectomy.
Traditionally, vasovasostomy is performed using an operating microscope. However, this case marks a notable shift as the team utilized robotic assistance to enhance surgical precision and visualization. The da Vinci robotic system offers three-dimensional magnified views, increased stability, and improved dexterity, allowing for extremely fine suturing.
“This innovation reflects PGIMER’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology into clinical practice. Robot-assisted vasovasostomy allows for meticulous suturing using extremely thin sutures (thinner than the diameter of human hair), while reducing surgeon fatigue and tremor,” said lead surgeon Dr. Aditya Prakash Sharma.
Dr. Sharma further noted that the success of this surgery opens new possibilities for couples seeking natural conception after vasectomy. “Robot-assisted vasovasostomy not only expands the scope of robotic surgery in andrology but also opens new hope for couples seeking natural conception after vasectomy,” he added.
Prof. Ravi Mohan emphasized the wider implications of the procedure: “This successful case demonstrates the versatility of robotic systems beyond cancer surgeries and reconstructive procedures. It sets the stage for broader applications in andrology and microsurgery.”
With this successful outcome, PGIMER becomes one of the few centres globally to perform this advanced procedure. The surgical team plans to document and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals, aiming to promote wider clinical adoption.
The achievement was made possible with the guidance and support of Prof. Uttam Mete, Head of the Department of Urology, and Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER.
(With the inputs from IANS)
Jyoti Kumari joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Journalism Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. She is passionate about news reporting, content creation, social media, and emerging media trends.