Chandigarh | The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here on Thursday said that a team of its doctors from the urology department have successfully performed India's first robot-assisted vasovasostomy.

"In a significant milestone for Indian urology, Dr Aditya Prakash Sharma, Additional Professor, Dr Girdhar Bora, Additional Professor and Prof Ravi Mohan from the Department of Urology at PGIMER, Chandigarh, have successfully performed India's first robot-assisted vasovasostomy on July 9," said a statement by the institute.

"This pioneering procedure offers a modern alternative to the conventional microscope-based technique used in male infertility surgery," the statement added.

The patient, a 43-year-old man presented with secondary infertility due to vasectomy, was discharged the next day following surgery.

"Traditionally performed using an operating microscope, this case marked a paradigm shift as the surgery was conducted using the da Vinci Surgical System, providing enhanced precision, stability, and three-dimensional magnified visualization," the statement said.

"This innovation reflects the 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 Dr Sharma, the lead surgeon.

"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.

According to the PGIMER statement, Prof Mohan said, "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 achievement, the PGIMER joins a small group of global centres that have performed robot-assisted vasovasostomy, placing India on the map in this advanced domain.

The surgical team plans to publish their experience in peer-reviewed literature, paving the way for larger clinical applications, the statement said.

Vasectomy reversal or vasovasostomy is a procedure in which, after a vasectomy, the blocked tubes are reconnected to restore fertility in men.

Conventionally, it is done using magnification under an operating microscope.

Robot-assisted vasovasostomy is a modern technique in which, instead of using a microscope, the surgeon uses a robot to join the tiny sperm-carrying tubes with great precision.

This technique improves accuracy and increases the chances of a successful outcome.