AIG Performs 1st Robotic Kidney Surgery In Hyd

Hyderabad: In a landmark achievement in robotic urological surgery, urologists at AIG Hospitals have successfully performed the first-ever robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy—a minimally invasive kidney tumor removal—for a patient with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) in the twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The complex procedure was carried out by Dr Bipin Chandra Pal, Director & Head of Urology and Renal Transplantation at AIG Hospitals. The patient, a 45-year-old woman with CLD and ascites (abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen), presented with right flank pain, fatigue, and general weakness. A contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed a 4x4 cm malignant tumor in the right kidney, compressing vital renal tissue and impairing kidney function. Additionally, the presence of a 5 cm enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) and moderate ascites posed significant challenges for conventional surgical access. "Due to the ascitic fluid, fragile liver architecture, and the risk to surrounding organs, we could not use the standard transperitoneal route," explained Dr. Pal. "Instead, we opted for a retroperitoneal approach—an advanced and more targeted route that avoids the abdominal cavity entirely. This method marks a critical advancement for patients once deemed too high-risk or inoperable."

Adding to the complexity, the patient’s liver cirrhosis further increased surgical risk. “Patients with cirrhosis face significantly higher risks of surgical complications,” said Dr. Mithun Sharma, Director & Head of Hepatology at AIG Hospitals. “The retroperitoneal robotic approach minimises trauma, prevents fluid leakage, reduces the risk of abdominal infection, and avoids hemodynamic shifts that can worsen liver function. It’s a far safer option for such patients.”

Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, emphasised the multidisciplinary coordination behind the success: “In this case, a collaborative team of hepatologists, urologists, radiologists, and anesthesiologists enabled a minimally invasive, organ-preserving outcome with faster recovery

and fewer risks.”