Advanced robotic and minimally invasive therapies helped preserve the patient’s only kidney: Dr Rohit Dadhwal
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, May 9: A 61-year-old man battling a rare and highly complex urological condition has successfully undergone a life-saving combination of robotic kidney surgery and advanced minimally invasive prostate treatment at Fortis Healthcare’s Fortis Hospital Mohali, marking a significant achievement in the field of robotic and reconstructive urology.
The patient, who had already lost function of his right kidney due to severe upper urinary tract complications, was diagnosed with a tumour in his only functioning left kidney. At the same time, he was suffering from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) — a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that had caused serious urinary obstruction and progressively worsening symptoms.
According to doctors, the case posed a dual challenge: removing the tumour without damaging the patient’s remaining kidney function, while simultaneously addressing the prostate obstruction that was severely affecting his quality of life.
The complex treatment was carried out by a team led by Dr Rohit Dadhwal from the Department of Urology, Andrology and Robotic Surgery at Fortis Hospital Mohali.
Doctors performed a robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy, an advanced surgical procedure in which only the tumour-bearing portion of the kidney is removed while preserving the healthy kidney tissue. Given that the patient had only one functional kidney, preserving renal function was considered critical.
Simultaneously, the medical team treated the patient’s prostate obstruction using Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy — one of the latest minimally invasive procedures for enlarged prostate treatment. The technique uses targeted water vapour therapy delivered through a specialised radiofrequency device to shrink excess prostate tissue and restore normal urinary flow.
Hospital officials said the patient had been experiencing interrupted urine flow, frequent urination, fatigue and discomfort for a prolonged period before seeking medical attention at Fortis Hospital Mohali.
Explaining the complexity of the procedure, Dr Rohit Dadhwal said that robotic surgery offers unmatched precision in delicate kidney procedures, especially in patients where organ preservation is essential.
“Kidney cancers are best treated through robot-aided surgery because it enables surgeons to precisely remove the tumour while preserving healthy kidney tissue, thereby ensuring excellent cancer control and maintaining kidney function,” he said.
Speaking about Rezūm therapy, Dr Dadhwal noted that the procedure is particularly beneficial for younger patients or individuals who are considered high-risk candidates for conventional surgery.
“The procedure involves injecting water vapours into the prostate tissue using a specialised hand-held radiofrequency device. Over time, this leads to shrinkage of the prostate and significant improvement in urinary symptoms. It is a painless day-care procedure that typically takes around five minutes,” he explained.
Doctors further highlighted that the patient made a smooth recovery following the surgeries and was discharged from the hospital on the third postoperative day. The final pathological examination later confirmed complete removal of the tumour.
Calling the case a strong example of how modern medical technologies are transforming patient care, Dr Dadhwal said the integration of robotic surgery with innovative minimally invasive therapies helped doctors save the patient’s only kidney while also improving his long-term quality of life.
“This case demonstrates the immense benefits of advanced robotic surgery combined with minimally invasive therapies like Rezūm. We were able to preserve the patient’s only functional kidney and successfully relieve his urinary obstruction,” he added.
Healthcare experts say robotic-assisted surgeries are increasingly becoming the preferred approach for complex kidney and urological procedures because they offer greater surgical precision, smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional open surgeries.
Fortis Healthcare is among India’s leading integrated healthcare providers, operating hospitals, diagnostics centres and specialty day-care facilities across multiple states. The healthcare network currently includes more than 5,700 operational beds and over 400 diagnostic laboratories nationwide.
