AIIMS Bhubaneswar to Launch Robotic Pediatric Surgery, Plans Pediatric Liver Transplants

Bhubaneswar, Dec 28: AIIMS Bhubaneswar is set to launch robotic pediatric surgery within the next two months, marking a major leap in advanced child healthcare in Odisha and India.

Congenital anomalies remain one of the leading causes of child illness and mortality in the country, and timely surgical intervention is often the only way to save lives.

Dr Santosh Kumar Mahalik, pediatric surgery specialist at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, explained that newborns are highly sensitive and often face conditions such as intestinal blockages, airway obstructions, hydrocephalus, and spinal deformities. Early diagnosis, sometimes even during the fetal stage, is critical for successful treatment.

Currently, the pediatric surgery department at AIIMS Bhubaneswar manages over 300 OPD patients weekly and performs more than 1,000 surgeries annually, with 30–40% of procedures already conducted through minimally invasive techniques.

The addition of robotic surgery will make complex operations faster, more precise, and less traumatic for children.

The hospital also plans to introduce pediatric liver transplants, building on its successful adult transplant program.

With these advancements, AIIMS Bhubaneswar is positioning itself as a national leader in cutting-edge pediatric surgical care.