The intricate procedure was performed on a 36-year-old male patient who had been experiencing severe breathing difficulties. Medical evaluation through endoscopy revealed a tumor located in the lower segment of the trachea, commonly known as the windpipe. Although the patient had previously undergone partial removal of the tumor at another hospital, he required definitive treatment involving complete removal of the remaining cancerous tissue along with the affected lower portion of the trachea.
The surgery was performed by the Department of Surgical Oncology at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, under the leadership of Dr. Naveena Kumar A. N., with crucial support from the Department of Anesthesia. The robotic procedure involved complete removal of the tumor-affected lower section of the trachea just above the point where the windpipe divides into the two main airways leading to the lungs. The surgical team then reconstructed the airway by reconnecting the healthy ends of the trachea.
The operation was particularly challenging because the surgical team had to perform the robotic procedure while continuously maintaining oxygen supply to the lungs and keeping the ventilation tube positioned inside the trachea throughout the surgery. Under conventional open surgery, the patient would have required a large chest incision, resulting in increased pain, a longer recovery period, and a more prominent surgical scar. Through the minimally invasive robotic approach, the patient recovered successfully and was discharged on the fourth day after surgery.
Robotic surgery offers several advantages over traditional surgical techniques, including faster recovery, minimal blood loss, reduced postoperative pain, and an earlier return to normal daily activities.
The multidisciplinary surgical team included Dr. Nawaz Usman, Dr. Akhil Palod, Dr. Ananth Balakrishnan, and Dr. Preethi from the Department of Surgical Oncology, along with Professor Anitha N. and Dr. Shreya from the Department of Anesthesia.
Under the leadership of Dr. Naveena Kumar A. N., the Department of Surgical Oncology at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, performs a wide range of major robotic cancer surgeries involving the lung, thymus, esophagus, stomach, rectum, pancreas, liver, uterus, and kidney. The hospital also utilizes robotic surgery to improve patients' quality of life through function-preserving and organ-saving procedures, including avoiding permanent stoma formation in selected rectal cancer cases and enabling partial kidney removal for suitable kidney cancer patients.
Expressing satisfaction over the successful completion of the complex procedure, Dr. Naveena Kumar A. N., Department of Surgical Oncology, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, said, "This surgery represents one of the most technically demanding procedures in robotic cancer surgery, requiring precise coordination between the surgical and anesthesia teams to maintain the patient's airway and oxygenation throughout. We are proud that our team could offer this minimally invasive option to our patient, sparing him a major chest incision and a prolonged recovery period. It reflects the level of advanced surgical care now available to patients in our region."
Congratulating the medical team, Dr. Sudhakar Kantipudi, Chief Operating Officer, Teaching Hospitals, MAHE, said, "This achievement is a proud moment for Kasturba Hospital and reflects the skill and dedication of our doctors, nursing staff, and technicians. We will continue to invest in advanced technology and expertise so that Kasturba Hospital can become a referral center for handling this kind of complex robotic cancer surgery in the future."
With this landmark achievement, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the most advanced surgical technologies to patients across the region while strengthening its position as a leading center for complex robotic cancer surgery.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, offers more than 400 specializations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Technology and Science through its constituent institutions located in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. Recognized nationally and internationally for academic excellence, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant research contributions, MAHE was granted the prestigious Institution of Eminence status by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in 2020. It is currently ranked third in the National Institutional Ranking Framework 2025 and continues to be a preferred destination for students seeking quality education and for national and multinational organizations recruiting skilled professionals.
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