PGI performs India's first robot-assisted reverse vasectomy
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The breakthrough surgery was performed on July 9, 2025, by a skilled team led by Dr Aditya Prakash Sharma, Dr Girdhar Bora, both Additional Professors, and Prof Ravi Mohan from the Department of Urology. This pioneering intervention replaces the traditional microscope-based technique with the precision of robotic surgery, marking a major leap forward in reproductive microsurgery in India.
The patient, a 43-year-old male presenting with secondary infertility following a vasectomy, underwent the procedure using the da Vinci Surgical System.
He was discharged the very next day, signaling a swift and successful recovery.
Vasovasostomy, commonly known as vasectomy reversal, is a highly intricate microsurgical operation that involves reconnecting the severed ends of the vas deferens to restore the passage of sperm and enable natural conception. Traditionally dependent on high-powered microscopes, the PGIMER team broke new ground by harnessing robotic assistance — offering three-dimensional magnified visualization, enhanced precision, and superior suturing stability.
"This innovation reflects PGIMER's unwavering commitment to integrating next-generation technology into patient care," said Dr Aditya Prakash Sharma, the lead surgeon. "Robot-assisted vasovasostomy not only improves accuracy but also reduces surgeon fatigue and eliminates tremor — allowing the use of ultra-fine sutures, even thinner than a strand of human hair. It opens a new horizon for couples desiring natural conception post-vasectomy.
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"
Echoing this sentiment, Prof Ravi Mohan highlighted the broader implications: "This successful procedure showcases the versatility of robotic platforms beyond their conventional use in cancer and reconstructive surgeries. It paves the way for expanded applications in andrology and microsurgery."
With this surgical first, India joins an elite global league of centres equipped to offer robot-assisted vasovasostomy.
PGIMER plans to publish the results in peer-reviewed journals to encourage larger clinical adoption across India and beyond.
The team credited the vision and support of Prof Uttam Mete, Head of the Urology Department, and Prof Vivek Lal, director of PGIMER, for enabling such high-precision innovations. Their guidance, they said, played a vital role in turning this milestone into a reality.
This achievement not only reinforces PGIMER's reputation as a centre of excellence but also signals a promising future for male infertility treatment in India, said Lal.
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