Pune: Noble Hospitals and Research Centre, Hadapsar, has achieved a defining breakthrough in cardiac care by successfully performing a Robotic Left Atrial Myxoma Excision — a complex heart-tumour removal carried out entirely through keyhole ports using a surgical robot. The procedure is the first robotic heart surgery ever performed in Pune, the first in Maharashtra, and only the second of its kind in the country.
The patient, a 55-year-old woman, was found to have a non-cancerous tumour in a chamber of her heart during a routine check-up. Left Atrial Myxoma, though benign, can trigger stroke or severe breathlessness in symptomatic patients, and surgical removal remains the only definitive treatment.
Conventionally, this procedure requires a median sternotomy, in which the breastbone is split open to access the heart. At Noble Hospitals, the same operation was performed through a few small port incisions — no large incision, no splitting of the chest bone. After the patient was placed on the heart-lung machine and the heart stopped, the surgical team entered the left atrium under high-definition 3D vision, precisely excised the tumour from the heart wall, and robotically sutured the defect with 10x magnification accuracy.
Robotic cardiac surgery translates into significant patient benefits: substantially less post-operative pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, minimal blood loss, and small port-site scars in place of a long sternal scar.
The landmark surgery was led by *Dr Dhairyasheel Kanase, Senior Cardiac Surgeon, with support from **Dr Ashish Pokharkar*, Senior Oncosurgeon. The surgical team included Dr Aniruddha Dhekane and Dr N. Jadhav. Anaesthesia was managed by Dr Samrat Madnaik and Dr Permita Dikshit, while the heart-lung machine was managed by Mr Shashikant Kale.
This success opens the door to a far wider portfolio of robotic cardiac procedures. Clinicians anticipate that the same techniques will soon extend to Robotic ASD Closure, Robotic Valve Replacement and Robotic-assisted Bypass surgeries — making advanced cardiac care less invasive, more precise, and far more accessible to patients globally.
Speaking on the achievement, Dr Kanase said, “This is just the beginning of a new era in heart surgery — one in which patients receive world-class outcomes with minimal trauma.”
“Today, Pune takes its place on the world map of next-generation cardiac care,” said Dr Divij Mane, Deputy Managing Director, Noble Hospitals . “What our team has demonstrated is that the most advanced robotic cardiac surgery — performed by surgeons of international calibre, on platforms representing the absolute frontier of the field — can be delivered right here, with outcomes that stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best centres anywhere in the world. Patients should not have to cross continents in search of excellence; our commitment is to bring that excellence to them. This milestone is a statement of intent. We will continue to push the boundaries of what is clinically possible, invest relentlessly in technology and talent, and set — not follow — the benchmarks for patient-centric, outcomes-driven cardiac care. The world will increasingly look to Pune as a destination for advanced heart surgery, and we intend to lead that movement.”
Dr. Sanjay Pathare, Group Executive Officer, Noble Hospitals and Research Centre said “This milestone marks a significant leap forward in cardiac care for our city. Robotic-assisted surgery not only enhances precision but also ensures faster recovery, reduced pain, and better clinical outcomes. We will continue to invest in advanced medical innovations and expert talent to redefine the standards of healthcare delivery.”
Dr. Dilip Mane Chairman & Managing Director, Noble Hospitals and Research Centre said that “The introduction of robotic cardiac surgery at our Hospital is a testament to our vision of integrating technology with clinical excellence. This achievement is the result of meticulous planning, world-class infrastructure, and the dedication of our highly skilled multidisciplinary team.
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