CN Murlidharan (59) is all set to return home after becoming the first person to undergo a robotic kidney transplant in Maharashtra.
Murlidharan was operated on July 2 by Dr Inderbir Gill, Head of Department, Urology and Robotics at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital (HNRF), who led the team of doctors at HNRF
The Andheri resident was admitted to the hospital with renal failure. His wife Leena (55) decided to donate her kidney to set him back on the path of recovery. The family agreed to go in for robotic surgery, after they were apprised about the latest technology and its benefits, including lesser risk of infection, less pain, and faster recovery.
“It has been a privilege to perform Mumbai’s first robotic kidney transplant at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital – the first-of-its-kind in Maharashtra. The entire team worked together seamlessly and we are thrilled that the patient and the donor are doing well and the operation was a great success,” added Dr Gill, who is also MD, professor and Chair at USC Institute of Urology at University of Southern California.
He said robotic surgery allows kidney transplantation to be performed with great precision, minimal blood loss, and lesser chance of post-operative infection.
“This is an advanced procedure performed in very few centres in the world. With this experience and great outcome, we want to make Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital the primary destination for robotic kidney transplants, not only in Mumbai, but in entire country,” he said.
Murlidharan had been on dialysis for the past one-and-a-half years. “I decided to give my kidney for my husband’s normal life,” said Leena, who herself did a lot of research before going ahead with the surgery.
Murlidharan, who is on a fast track to recovery, said that the robotic surgery involved lesser pain. “I was initially reluctant, but the doctors convinced me about the benefits. I am happy that I went ahead with it,” he said.
Dr Gustad Daver, Medical Director and Head of Department – Surgery at HNRF, said, “In our endeavour to provide the best possible surgical treatment through advanced technology at HNRF, we have taken another step by carrying out the first robotic renal (kidney) transplant in Mumbai.”
The team, led by Dr Gill, also comprised consultant urologist Dr PP Rao, and Consultant Nephrologists Dr Bharat Shah and Dr Shruti Tapiawala.