Robotic Surgery in Urology

Mani Menon, M.D., is a pioneer in robotic surgery and one of the foremost urologists in the United States. The first robotic prostate surgery program in the United States was started by Mani Menon, M.D., at the Vattikuti Urology Institute in 2001. The VUI was the first institution to offer the surgery on an out-patient basis. The robotic approach that Dr. Menon developed, the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP), revolutionized the field of Urology, and has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. The enhanced nerve-sparing technique developed by Dr. Menon, the "Veil of Aphrodite," has dramatically improved erectile function outcomes following radical prostatectomy. Dr. Menon also developed the first catheter-free approach.

The above information was shared with a group of healthcare professionals in Khartoum by Dr.D.V.S.L.N Sharma, Senior Consultant Urologist, in the Department of Urology and Robotic Surgery at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, India. A member of VUI, Dr.Sharma has been inspired by Dr.Mani Menon and performs Robotic Surgery in India. Dr.Sharma had first mastered the basic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and then has learnt robotic surgery which he is practicing since 2013. Due to small incisions, less trauma to the body and greater surgeon precision, robotic surgery provides the following benefits over traditional open procedures including: shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, less pain, fewer complications, including less risk of infection and faster return to normal activities.

Ministry of Health, Sudan has signed a MoU for sending Doctors and Nurses to Apollo Hospital at Hyderabad for training in an exchange program. This will certainly benefit the patients in Sudan.