Five-year-old boy discharged just seven days after world's first robotic liver transplant in Chennai

A five-year-old boy from Haryana has made medical history by being the first pediatric patient to undergo a robotic liver transplant at Rela Hospital in Chennai. The groundbreaking procedure, performed by Dr. Mohammed Rela, lasted around eight hours and was necessitated by a rare genetic disorder known as urea cycle disorder, which impaired the child's liver function.

The boy's mother donated a portion of her liver, also extracted using robotic surgery. This innovative approach not only allowed for a significantly reduced hospital stay—the boy was discharged just seven days post-surgery—but also minimized scarring compared to traditional methods, which typically require a 9-inch incision.

Dr. Rela emphasized the advantages of robotic surgery, stating, “While robotic surgeries had been performed for other conditions, they were not usually used in liver transplantation.” He noted that the procedure was both cost-efficient and scar-free, making it a viable option for many patients. The cost of robotic surgery is comparable to conventional methods and can be covered under the Tamil Nadu government's Chief Minister's Insurance Scheme.

The boy's mother expressed her gratitude, calling the successful surgery a “miracle for the family”, especially after previously losing another child to the same disorder.

A five-year-old boy from Haryana was discharged just seven days after undergoing the world's first robotic liver transplant at Rela Hospital in Chennai, a procedure that significantly reduced recovery time and scarring compared to traditional methods, according to hospital officials.