Mumbai’s Sir JJ Group of Hospitals has achieved a major milestone in Maharashtra’s public healthcare system by successfully performing the state’s first robotic-assisted surgery for a rare tumour of the thymus gland at a government hospital.
The landmark procedure, known as a robotic thymectomy, was carried out at Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals. The surgery removes a thymoma, a rare tumour that develops in the thymus gland, located behind the breastbone. Although the condition is uncommon, it often requires prompt treatment because of its association with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that weakens the body’s muscles.
Patients suffering from myasthenia gravis can experience symptoms such as drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness and severe fatigue. In advanced cases, the illness can also affect the muscles responsible for breathing, making timely medical intervention critical.
Traditionally, patients treated in government hospitals underwent open-chest surgery, or sternotomy, to remove the tumour. The conventional procedure involves splitting the breastbone, leading to greater pain, increased blood loss, longer hospitalisation and an extended recovery period.
The introduction of robotic-assisted surgery offers a less invasive alternative. Using robotic arms controlled by the surgeon through small incisions, the system provides a magnified three-dimensional view of the operating area and allows greater precision while working around sensitive organs such as the heart, lungs and major blood vessels.
Doctors say the technology significantly reduces surgical trauma, resulting in less pain, minimal scarring, lower blood loss and quicker recovery. Patients also spend fewer days in hospital and can return to their normal routine sooner than those undergoing traditional surgery.
Speaking about the achievement, Dr. Amogh Wagh said robotic-assisted thymectomy allows surgeons to perform highly complex procedures with enhanced accuracy while improving patient outcomes. He added that offering the service in a government hospital ensures advanced robotic treatment is no longer limited to patients who can afford expensive private healthcare.
Robotic thymectomy is currently available at only a handful of medical centres across India because it requires specialised equipment and trained surgical teams. JJ Hospital’s success marks an important step in expanding access to cutting-edge medical technology within the public healthcare system.
Healthcare experts believe the initiative will benefit patients across Maharashtra by making advanced surgical care more accessible, reducing dependence on costly private hospitals and helping bridge the gap in access to modern medical treatment.
