Redefining Boundaries: How IRCAD India and Dr. Mohit Bhandari Are Leading a Global Telesurgery Revolution

Two Historic Robotic Telesurgeries. One Powerful Message.

Distance is no longer a barrier to expert surgical care.

What is Telesurgery?

Telesurgery—also known as remote surgery—is a groundbreaking surgical technique where a surgeon performs an operation on a patient who is in a completely different geographical location, using robotic systems connected through high-speed networks. What was once science fiction is now a global medical reality, powered by robotics, precision technology, and real-time connectivity.

Who is Dr. Mohit Bhandari – IRCAD India President

Dr. Mohit Bhandari is one of the world’s most accomplished bariatric and robotic surgeons, and the visionary President of IRCAD India. With more than 21,000 bariatric procedures to his name and multiple “firsts” in minimally invasive surgery across Asia, Dr. Bhandari continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in surgical science.

Under his leadership, IRCAD India is fast becoming a global epicenter for training, innovation, and excellence in minimal access and robotic surgery.

From Gurugram to Indore: World’s First Long-Distance Robotic Bariatric Telesurgery

Date: 6th July 2025

History was made when Dr. Mohit Bhandari, operating from SS Innovations headquarters in Gurugram, successfully conducted a robotic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass on a super-obese patient located at Mohak Bariatrics in Indore, over 850 kilometers away.

This pioneering procedure—powered by the indigenously developed SSI Mantra 3 robotic system—marks the world’s first long-distance robotic bariatric telesurgery. It proved that surgical expertise can now reach patients without geographical limits, opening doors for advanced care in even the remotest parts of the country.

From France to India: Bridging Two Continents Through Robotic Precision

Distance: Over 8,500 kilometers

Soon after the India-only milestone, Dr. Mohit Bhandari took telesurgery global.

During the prestigious Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) Annual Meeting, the world witnessed the first-ever transcontinental robotic bariatric surgery between IRCAD France in Strasbourg and Indore, India.

Controlling the SSI Mantra 3 robot from Strasbourg, Dr. Bhandari performed a gastric bypass surgery on a morbidly obese, insulin-dependent diabetic patient in Indore—live, with zero perceptible lag. The operation lasted 48 minutes and was performed on a patient with a BMI of 50, who also suffered from sleep apnea and coronary artery disease.

It was heartening to see the patient walking on the very next day of the surgery—underscoring not just the power of robotic surgery, but the safety and efficiency it offers.

Why This Is a Game-Changer for India

These back-to-back successes are not just technological feats—they are paradigm shifts in healthcare delivery:

• Patients in remote locations can now access expert care without travel.
• Time-sensitive surgeries can be performed faster with global expertise.
• Training and collaboration can now happen in real-time across countries.
• Costs can be reduced through efficient resource utilization and localization.

   

This changes everything—from how surgeries are done, to where they can happen.

India’s Role in Leading Surgical Innovation

What makes this story even more remarkable is that both surgeries were performed using the SSI Mantra 3 robotic system, developed entirely in India by SS Innovations.

IRCAD India’s Vision Aligned

At IRCAD India, we’re not just witnesses to this change—we are actively shaping the future of surgery. Located in Indore, IRCAD India is a state-of-the-art training and research facility,

purpose-built to empower surgeons with advanced skills in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. The center features:

• A world-class dry and wet lab, equipped with the latest laparoscopic and robotic platforms, enabling hands-on training in real-life surgical scenarios.

   

• A next-generation robotic training suite, offering simulation-based and console-based learning on robotic systems like the SSI Mantra 3.

   

• High-definition operating theaters, linked to digital classrooms for live telecasting of complex procedures.

   

• Modern auditoriums and interactive learning spaces designed to host international masterclasses, fellowships, and conferences.

   

• Residential facilities to support immersive multi-day learning programs.

These landmark telesurgeries are a direct reflection of the ecosystem we’re building. They are proof that the future of surgery is borderless—and IRCAD India is leading that future from the front.

Ready to Learn Robotic & Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery from Dr. Mohit Bhandari and our team of expert faculty at IRCAD India.

Don’t miss these two exclusive, hands-on training opportunities:

3-Day Laparoscopic Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Masterclass – 3rd to 5th September 2025. 

Robotic Bariatric Surgery Course – 31st October & 1st November 2025

Seats are limited — Reserve your spot now!