PGIMER Performs India’s First Robot-Assisted Surgery to Reverse Vasectomy

In a recent surgical breakthrough, doctors at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, successfully performed India’s first robot-assisted vasovasostomy.

This landmark surgery was conducted by the Urology department on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

India’s First Robot-Assisted Vasovasostomy

Taking a major leap in surgical advancement, a skilled team of Additional Professors—Dr. Aditya Prakash Sharma, Dr. Girdhar Bora, and Professor Ravi Mohan performed the procedure on a 43-year-old man who had developed secondary infertility after a vasectomy.

The surgery, performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, offers high precision and serves as a modern alternative to the traditional microscopic technique.

It was successful, and the patient was discharged the very next day, marking a much faster recovery time.

What Is Vasovasostomy

Vasovasostomy is a surgical procedure used to reverse vasectomy. It reconnects the blocked or cut segments of the vas deferens—a tube that carries sperm—helping restore the sperm pathway and fertility in men.

Why This Is Groundbreaking

Traditionally, this procedure was done using high-powered operating microscopes. But now, robotic assistance provides magnified visuals and exceptional precision in reconnecting the tiny tubes. This improves surgical accuracy, boosts the success rate, and reduces fatigue for surgeons, especially while performing ultra-fine sutures.

According to surgeons, this achievement showcases the versatility of robotic surgery, highlighting its potential beyond conventional applications like reconstruction and cancer surgeries. It also opens the door to using robotics more widely in microsurgery and andrology.

With this, India joins a small group of countries that have successfully performed this surgery.

Lead Surgeon Dr. Aditya Prakash Sharma, as quoted by various media portals, said,

He added that the surgery not only improves accuracy—enabling sutures thinner than a strand of human hair—but also reduces surgeon fatigue.

What’s Next

Going forward, the surgical team plans to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed journal so they can be used in larger clinical settings.

The approach also offers fresh hope to couples seeking natural conception after vasectomy, while ensuring faster and more successful outcomes.

Why This Milestone Matters

As India performs its first robot-assisted vasovasostomy, the procedure could pave the way for more advanced, precise, and accessible fertility treatments. It also signals how robotic technology is no longer limited to oncology or reconstruction, and might soon become a standard in microsurgical care too.

(Rh/Pooja Bansal/MSM/SE)