Prof. Subhash Khanna Conducts Sri Lanka’s First Live Robotic Surgery Workshop
Prof. Subhash Khanna Conducts Sri Lanka’s First Live Robotic Surgery Workshop
Pankaj Nath, Assam , August 22:
Prof. Subhash Khanna, Chief of Minimal Access, GI and Robotic Surgery at Swagat Super Speciality Surgical Institute, Guwahati, Assam was invited as international faculty for Sri Lanka’s first live robotic surgery workshop, held at Kings Hospital, Colombo.
To conduct the live surgeries, Prof. Khanna was formally registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council, fulfilling the regulatory requirements for an international surgeon to operate in the country.
The landmark programme was organised by Kings Hospital under the leadership of the President-Elect of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, Prof. Bawantha Gamage, as part of the launch of the hospital’s robotic surgery programme using India’s indigenous SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System.
Nearly 65 surgeons and surgical trainees from across Sri Lanka attended the workshop. Prof. Khanna conducted the live robotic surgery sessions and performed a robotic bilateral TAPP groin hernia repair along with Prof. Bawantha Gamage. He also performed what was announced as Sri Lanka’s first robot-assisted cholecystectomy, marking an important milestone in the country’s surgical journey.
The live operative programme included:
- Robotic bilateral TAPP groin hernia repair
- Robotic TAPP repair for recurrent inguinal hernia following previous open surgery
- Robot-assisted cholecystectomy
The international faculty also included Prof. Chelliah Selvasekar and Prof. Jim Khan from the United Kingdom, along with Mr N. Venkata Jayanthi from the United Kingdom. They were joined by eminent Sri Lankan surgeons during the academic and live operative sessions.
The workshop was followed by a grand formal ceremony marking the launch of the robotic surgery programme at Kings Hospital. Dr Sudhir Srivastava, Founder, Chairman and CEO of SS Innovations, delivered the keynote address and formally handed over the Indian-developed SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System to Kings Hospital in the presence of senior government officials, surgeons, hospital leaders and other distinguished guests.
Among the many dignitaries present were Dr Palitha Abeykoon, Chairman of Kings Hospital Colombo; Emeritus Prof. Mohan de Silva; and Prof. K. L. Fernando, who is credited with performing Sri Lanka’s first laparoscopic cholecystectomy, along with several other pioneers and senior members of the Sri Lankan medical fraternity.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Khanna said:
“It was an honour to participate in this historic programme and witness the beginning of a new chapter in robotic surgery in Sri Lanka. As Founding President of the Association of Robotic and Innovative Surgeons, India, I assure our Sri Lankan colleagues of our fullest support. We shall extend our teaching, training and academic programmes to help train as many Sri Lankan surgeons as possible and contribute to the safe and structured growth of robotic surgery in the country.”
The formal registration of Prof. Khanna with the Sri Lanka Medical Council and his participation as an operating international faculty member reflect the growing international recognition of his work. The event also highlighted the contribution of Swagat Super Speciality Surgical Institute, Guwahati, to robotic surgery, surgical education and international academic collaboration.
