World's First Robotic Telesurgery for Bariatric Procedure by Dr. Mohit Bhandari
A New Era in the History of Surgery
On 6th July 2025, medical science witnessed a groundbreaking moment as Dr. Mohit Bhandari, Asia’s leading bariatric and robotic surgeon, performed the world’s first robotic telesurgery for a bariatric procedure. This revolutionary operation was conducted remotely. Bhandari operated from SS Innovations Headquarters in Gurugram while the patient was located over 900 kilometers away at Mohak Bariatrics & Robotics in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
The procedure, Robotic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass, was performed on a super-obese patient using the SSI Mantra 3 Robotic Surgical System, a cutting-edge, fully Indian-developed technology developed by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava. This milestone event has not only pushed the boundaries of robotic surgery but has redefined what is possible in the world of remote healthcare delivery.
Bridging over 900 kilometers with no lag
Traditionally, surgery requires the physical presence of a surgeon in the operating Theatre(OT). This telesurgery breaks that norm completely. Despite being physically separated by hundreds of kilometers, the procedure was conducted with zero latency, exceptional control, and excellent coordination. The success of this surgery proves that distance is no longer a limiting factor in delivering high-quality, expert-led surgical care.
This achievement marks a significant transformation for healthcare in India and globally. It offers new hope for millions living in remote or underserved regions, where access to top-tier surgical talent is often limited or entirely unavailable.
Key Details of the Historic Surgery
- Surgeon: Dr. Mohit Bhandari – Asia’s leading bariatric and robotic surgery expert
- Procedure: Robotic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass
- Patient Location: Mohak Bariatrics & Robotics, Indore
- Command Center: SS Innovations International HQ, Gurugram, Haryana
- Robotic Platform: SSI Mantra 3 Robotic Surgical System
- Distance Bridged: Over 900 km in real-time
A Series of Firsts
This telesurgery marks several significant milestones:
- World’s first telesurgery in bariatric surgery
- India’s first long-distance robotic telesurgery
- First installation of the SSI Mantra 3 at Mohak Bariatrics
- First Indian-made robotic system used in a remote surgery of this scale
It is also a testament to the growing self-reliance in India’s healthcare technology sector. The SSI Mantra 3, developed by SS Innovations under the leadership of Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, reflects a significant leap toward making advanced surgical care more accessible and affordable, without dependency on imported platforms.
Implications for Global Healthcare
This breakthrough has far-reaching implications. Imagine a future where expert surgeons can operate on patients located in remote towns, across borders, or even in disaster zones without ever leaving their command centers. This model drastically reduces the time, cost, and risk associated with transporting patients or surgical teams, while expanding access to expert care worldwide.
The ability to perform such precise operations remotely opens doors to a more equitable healthcare system, where geography no longer dictates the quality of care a patient receives.
India at the Forefront of Surgical Innovation
What makes this feat even more remarkable is that it was entirely powered by Indian expertise, from the surgeon to the technology. Dr. Mohit Bhandari's pioneering efforts, supported by the SSI Mantra 3 robotic platform, reflect India's potential to lead the world in next-generation medical innovations.
By successfully performing the world’s first bariatric telesurgery, India has documented not only technical excellence but also the power of vision, collaboration, and indigenous innovation.
Conclusion
The success of this robotic telesurgery is more than just a surgical milestone—it is a turning point for the future of healthcare. It proves that with the right combination of technology, skill, and innovation, life-saving expertise can transcend geography.
As India leads the way in surgical robotics and remote healthcare delivery, one thing is certain: The future of surgery is not only robotic—it’s connected, precise, and boundaryless.