Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai has successfully performed more than 2,000 robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgeries, including total and partial knee replacements and total hip replacement procedures. The milestone marks a significant step in the hospital’s journey in technology-enabled joint replacement care and reflects its growing experience in combining advanced surgical systems with clinical expertise. The programme brings together Mako® SmartRobotics™ from Stryker, 3D CT-based imaging and detailed pre-operative planning to support patient-specific joint replacement procedures. The technology provides surgeons with detailed anatomical information, helping them develop and execute a surgical approach based on each patient’s anatomy and clinical requirements. While the robotic arm assists with execution of the pre-operative plan, treatment decisions and surgical judgement remain with the operating surgeon.For patients undergoing knee and hip replacement, the use of robotic assistance can support a minimally invasive surgical approach and may contribute to benefits including better overall alignment and accuracy, faster recovery and improved longevity of implants. For surgeons, the technology provides additional tools to assess anatomy, plan bone preparation and maintain consistency during the procedure, particularly when managing complex joint replacement cases.As part of the milestone, senior orthopaedic robotic surgeons - Dr Arun Kannan, Dr Kornad Kosygan, Dr Kunal Patel, Dr Navaladi Shankar, Dr Vijay Kishore Reddy and Dr Madhan Thiruvengada delivered keynote addresses highlighting the evolution of robotic-assisted joint replacement and the growing role of advanced technology in enabling more precise, personalised and patient-specific surgical care.In his keynote address, Dr Arun Kannan, Senior Orthopaedic Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, said “Surpassing 2,000 robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgeries is a major milestone for our team and reflects the experience we have built over the years in robotic joint replacement. What makes this achievement particularly significant is the wide range of knee and hip replacement procedures we have performed, including complex cases. This experience has helped us understand where robotic assistance can add real value and how best to use it for each patient. Going forward, we will continue to build on this expertise, expand the use of robotic technology in orthopaedic care and focus on delivering safe, precise and personalised treatment for our patients.”Speaking at the occasion, Dr Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO – Chennai Region, Apollo Hospitals, said, “This milestone reflects Apollo Hospitals’ continued focus on bringing meaningful advances in technology into clinical practice. The strength of our approach lies in bringing together experienced clinicians, advanced systems and a multidisciplinary care environment. As we expand our capabilities, our focus will remain on adopting technologies that can add value to patient care and support our clinicians in delivering better surgical outcomes.”The achievement forms part of Apollo Hospitals wider experience in robotic-assisted surgery across medical specialties. In February 2026, Apollo announced that it had crossed 8,000 robotic surgeries, highlighting its long-standing investment in advanced surgical capabilities. The 2,000-plus robotic-assisted orthopaedic procedures performed at Greams Road Hospital further add to this experience, strengthening the expertise in technology-enabled knee and hip replacement care.

Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai has launched a dedicated Geriatric Oncology Clinic for older adults with cancer, providing specialised assessment and personalised treatment planning based on an individual’s overall health and functional status rather than chronological age alone. The clinic is led by Dr. Tejinder Singh, Professor and Lead Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai. Geriatric oncology addresses the specific considerations involved in treating cancer in older adults, who may differ considerably in their physical fitness, nutritional status, cognitive function, co-existing illnesses and ability to tolerate treatment. More than one-third of cancer patients treated at the hospital are above 60 years of age, highlighting the relevance of considering these factors alongside the type and stage of cancer when planning treatment.The clinic brings together medical oncologists, geriatricians, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other specialists, providing coordinated care from diagnosis and treatment planning through supportive care and follow-up. A comprehensive geriatric assessment can help clinicians evaluate functional independence, nutrition, cognition, existing medical conditions and other vulnerabilities that may influence treatment decisions.Dr. Tejinder Singh said that cancer care for older adults cannot follow a one-size-fits-all model. He emphasised that age alone should not determine whether a patient is considered suitable for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or surgery. Instead, treatment decisions should consider overall health, functional independence, nutritional and cognitive status, co-existing illnesses and the patient’s individual treatment goals.Building on this approach, Dr. Sayali Damle, Consultant – Geriatric Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, highlighted that geriatric oncology is not about offering less treatment to older patients, but about finding an appropriate balance between treatment benefit and potential risk. She noted that detailed geriatric assessment can help prevent undertreatment of fit patients who may benefit from cancer therapy and overtreatment of frail patients who may face avoidable complications, while also identifying risks early and addressing potentially reversible concerns.Through multidisciplinary assessment, personalised treatment planning and coordinated supportive care, the Geriatric Oncology Clinic aims to support older adults with cancer in receiving treatment tailored to their overall health, functional independence, ability to tolerate treatment and personal goals, alongside the characteristics of the cancer.

Success India Magazine has featured Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, in an article examining her role in advancing Apollo Hospitals’ digital transformation. The feature explores Apollo’s adoption of artificial intelligence, robotic-assisted surgery, telehealth, remote care and digital therapeutics. It examines how these capabilities are being integrated across the organisation to support clinical care, extend access to health services and build a more connected healthcare ecosystem.The article also reflects on the Reddy family’s role in Apollo Hospitals’ growth and evolution, including the Group’s expansion beyond hospital-based care through digital platforms and technology-enabled services. Read the full article: https://successmagazine.in/preetha-reddy-leads-apollo-hospitals-digital/

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC), Chennai, hosted the 6th Annual Conference of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group – Asia-Oceania (PTCOG-AO 2026) from 4th to 6th September, marking the first time the regional conference was held in India. Conducted at Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai, the meeting brought together more than 450 delegates from 26 countries and regions. Centred on the theme “Empowering Access to Particle Therapy through Research, Education and Collaboration”, the three-day conference examined advances in the science, clinical application and technology of proton and other forms of particle therapy. It also explored the clinical evidence, infrastructure and workforce considerations involved in expanding access.The conference was led by Dr. Rakesh Jalali, Organising Chairman, PTCOG-AO 2026, and Medical Director and Senior Consultant – Radiation Oncology, APCC, and Dr. Srinivas Chilukuri, Scientific Chair (Clinical) and Organising Secretary, PTCOG-AO 2026, and Lead Consultant – Radiation Oncology, APCC. The scientific programme covered treatment planning and optimisation, radiobiology, medical physics, quality assurance, motion management and adaptive particle therapy. Sessions also examined emerging areas such as proton arc therapy, artificial intelligence and machine learning, biological modelling and FLASH radiotherapy, alongside disease-specific applications of particle therapy.Since introducing proton therapy in Chennai in 2019, APCC has developed its clinical programme alongside research, training and professional education. The conference provided a platform for institutions at different stages of developing particle-therapy services to exchange experience and explore collaborative research and capacity-building. A central focus was how to widen access through cost-conscious treatment protocols, high-volume treatment models, workforce development and appropriate patient selection. Discussions also addressed clinical research, health economics and the need to assess whether technological advances translate into meaningful benefits for patients.Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, emphasised that efforts to expand advanced cancer care must remain evidence-based and focused on patient outcomes. She also highlighted India’s potential to contribute to cancer care globally, spanning prevention, early detection and precision treatment.Through PTCOG-AO 2026, specialists examined how clinical evidence, research, education and international collaboration can support more equitable access to particle therapy while ensuring its use remains appropriate and patient-centred.

Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad, hosted the 10th Arthroplasty Arthroscopy Summit (AAS) 2026 on 6 September at the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. The one-day summit brought together more than 250 orthopedic surgeons from across India and was held under the aegis of the Telangana Orthopedic Surgeons Association (TOSA) and the Twin Cities Orthopedic Society (TCOS). The summit was led by Dr. Mithin Aachi, Course Director, AAS, and Senior Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad, and Dr. N. Somasekhar Reddy, Organising Chairman, AAS, and Senior Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.Senior faculty from several orthopedic subspecialties joined younger professionals to discuss complex clinical cases, evolving treatment approaches and their application in routine practice. The scientific programme covered joint replacement, arthroscopy and sports injuries, joint preservation and cartilage repair, spine surgery, trauma, periprosthetic joint infection, shoulder and elbow surgery, foot and ankle care, orthopedic oncology and regenerative orthopedics.Robotic-assisted joint replacement was among the key areas examined. While robotic systems can support surgical planning, precision and reproducibility, participants emphasised the need to assess whether these technical advantages translate into better long-term outcomes and meaningful cost-effectiveness for patients.The summit also examined intra-articular injections and platelet-rich plasma for osteoarthritis. Discussions highlighted that PRP should not be presented as a cure or cartilage-regenerating treatment for severe osteoarthritis and that injections may offer limited or temporary benefit when joint damage is advanced.Other sessions explored the evolving use of synthetic ligaments and internal bracing in selected anterior cruciate ligament injuries, as well as cell-based approaches for knee osteoarthritis and advances in shoulder arthroplasty. Participants considered the current evidence, appropriate indications, potential limitations and longer-term outcomes associated with these approaches.Through the summit, Apollo Hospitals reinforced the importance of evaluating innovation through scientific evidence, surgical experience, patient selection and clinical value. The programme provided a platform for specialists to exchange expertise while distinguishing established treatments from emerging approaches that require further evaluation.

Apollo Hospitals has expanded its Advanced Life Support Smart Ambulance network to Pune and Nashik in collaboration with the Billion Hearts Beating Foundation (BHB), with support from Marsh India. The initiative is intended to strengthen access to timely, coordinated emergency care during transport to hospital. In Nashik, Apollo Hospitals has deployed what it describes as North Maharashtra’s first 5G-enabled Smart Ambulance, called Hospital on Wheels.Designed to support critically ill or injured patients, the ambulances are equipped with advanced life-support systems and clinical monitoring technology. Trained emergency medical personnel can monitor vital signs and provide appropriate care based on the patient’s condition and the equipment available while travelling to the hospital. The 5G-enabled ambulance provides real-time audio-visual connectivity with specialist doctors and hospital emergency teams. Clinical information can be shared with the receiving hospital during transit, allowing its teams to guide care where appropriate and prepare for the patient’s arrival. The expansion into Pune and Nashik extends Apollo Hospitals’ emergency-care network beyond the hospital setting. By combining clinical support, trained emergency personnel and connected technology, the initiative aims to strengthen coordination and continuity of care from the point of response to hospital admission.

Apollo Hospitals, Narendrapur, Kolkata, has introduced the IRILLIC .nm Fluorescence Imaging System, expanding its intraoperative imaging capabilities. Installed in collaboration with Advanced Medical Instruments and IRILLIC, it is reported to be the 13th IRILLIC .nm system installed in Kolkata. Fluorescence imaging uses specialised cameras to detect light emitted naturally by certain tissues or following the administration of a fluorescent agent such as indocyanine green. The real-time images provide surgeons with additional information that can support the identification of selected tissues, lymphatic channels, blood flow and anatomical structures during surgery.According to Dr. Kinjal Shankar Majumdar, Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Hospitals, Narendrapur, the system has potential applications in thyroid surgery and selected head and neck cancer procedures.During thyroid surgery, near-infrared autofluorescence can help surgeons identify the parathyroid glands, which may otherwise be difficult to distinguish from surrounding tissue. Fluorescence imaging using an appropriate agent may also help assess their blood supply. This information can support efforts to preserve functioning parathyroid tissue and reduce the risk of postoperative hypocalcaemia, although outcomes depend on several surgical and patient-related factors.The system may also support sentinel lymph-node mapping in appropriately selected patients with early oral and oropharyngeal cancers. By helping surgeons visualise lymphatic drainage and identify sentinel nodes, the technology can assist with nodal assessment and surgical planning. The role of sentinel lymph-node procedures varies according to the tumour site, stage, clinical protocol and available expertise, and fluorescence imaging does not replace pathological examination of the removed nodes.The introduction of the IRILLIC .nm system reflects Apollo Hospitals Narendrapur’s continued integration of image-guided technologies into surgical care. Used alongside surgical expertise, appropriate patient selection and established clinical protocols, fluorescence imaging can provide additional intraoperative information to support individualised decision-making.

Two doctors from Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai - Dr. Dhanasekhar Kesavelu, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Dr. Shyamala J, Pediatrics and Neonatology— have been conferred the honorary adjunct title of Distinguished Clinical Tutor by the Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation (AHERF). The recognition acknowledges their contributions to clinical care, medical education and the training of healthcare professionals. Dr. Kesavelu has more than 20 years of experience in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology. His work includes the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional disorders in infants, children and adolescents.Dr. Shyamala has more than 28 years of experience in Pediatrics and Neonatology. Her clinical work encompasses child healthcare and the specialised care of newborns and infants, including those requiring close monitoring and multidisciplinary support. Alongside patient care, clinical teaching and mentorship help healthcare professionals develop practical knowledge, clinical reasoning and decision-making skills through experience in patient-care settings. AHERF’s Distinguished Clinical Tutor title recognises senior clinicians with substantial experience and an active role in clinical education and training.The recognition of Dr. Kesavelu and Dr. Shyamala reflects the value of combining clinical expertise with teaching and mentorship. It also highlights Apollo Children’s Hospital’s commitment to specialised pediatric care and the continued development of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Arun Prasad, Senior Consultant – GI, Bariatric and Robotic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, has received the Distinguished Teacher’s Award 2026 from the Association of National Board Accredited Institutions (ANBAI). The award recognises his longstanding contribution to surgical education, training and mentorship. The award was presented at the ANBAI National Conclave 2026, organised by the ANBAI Karnataka Chapter at Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, on 29 and 30 August. Centred on the theme “Aspire. Elevate. Lead.”, the conclave focused on postgraduate medical education, educator development and academic leadership.Dr. Prasad has taught postgraduate surgical trainees under the National Board system in India for more than 20 years. He has also served as an examiner and trainer for the Royal College of Surgeons in the United Kingdom for over two decades. His teaching contributions extend to robotic surgery, where he has served as a mentor and trainer for more than 10 years. He has also contributed to trauma education through the Primary Trauma Care Foundation, United Kingdom, including as a trainer and representative for Asia. Alongside more than 35 years of clinical experience in gastrointestinal, bariatric, minimal-access and robotic surgery, Dr. Prasad has contributed to postgraduate education, surgical skills development and professional training in India and internationally. The recognition highlights the role of experienced clinicians in developing surgical expertise through structured education and mentorship. It also reflects Apollo Hospitals’ emphasis on advancing clinical learning alongside patient care.

Apollo Hospitals India and Mayapada Healthcare conducted a robotic urological surgery proctorship at Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia, on 26 and 27 August 2026. The programme was the fourth proctorship conducted by Mayapada Healthcare with Apollo Hospitals India, supporting clinical knowledge exchange and the continued development of robotic surgery expertise. Prof. (Dr.) Sanjai Kumar Addla, Consultant Uro-Oncological and Robotic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, served as proctor during the programme. He worked alongside Mayapada Hospital’s urologists, Dr. Syamsu Hudaya and Dr. Stevano Lucianto Hotasi Sipahutar, and the hospital’s multidisciplinary clinical team.Two patients underwent robotic-assisted procedures using the da Vinci Xi surgical system. One patient with prostate cancer underwent a radical prostatectomy, while the other underwent surgery for a renal cyst. Prof. Addla brings experience from more than 1,000 robotic procedures, including surgery for prostate, kidney and bladder cancers. Robotic-assisted surgery enables surgeons to perform selected minimally invasive procedures with three-dimensional visualisation and precise control of surgical instruments. These capabilities can be particularly useful when operating in confined anatomical areas. Depending on the procedure and individual clinical factors, robotic-assisted approaches may help reduce surgical trauma and blood loss and support recovery.The proctorship combined specialist guidance with hands-on clinical collaboration, focusing on surgical planning, technical execution, safety and patient selection. Such programmes allow surgical teams to strengthen their experience with robotic technology while applying established clinical protocols and multidisciplinary decision-making.Through the programme, Apollo Hospitals and Mayapada Healthcare reinforced their collaboration in developing robotic urology capabilities in Indonesia, with a continued focus on safe, evidence-based and patient-centred surgical care.

A cardiac team at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, led by Dr. Karthigesan A.M., Senior Consultant – Cardiology & Electrophysiology, performed 3D Mapping-Enabled Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) to treat atrial fibrillation in a 58-year-old patient with hypertension and a previously implanted pacemaker. The patient had presented with recurrent palpitations, fatigue and breathlessness, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed atrial fibrillation with a fast ventricular rate. Despite anti-arrhythmic medication, the symptoms persisted, leading the team to proceed with PFA.Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart. In appropriately selected patients who remain symptomatic despite medication, catheter ablation may be considered to help control the abnormal rhythm.The procedure was performed under sedation using advanced 3D-integrated PFA technology, allowing the cardiac team to precisely map and target the abnormal electrical activity associated with atrial fibrillation. Unlike conventional thermal ablation, which uses heat or extreme cold, PFA delivers short electrical pulses to selectively target heart tissue involved in the abnormal rhythm while limiting the potential for injury to surrounding structures.Following the procedure, the patient recovered well and was discharged the following day. The case marks a step forward in precision-led cardiac rhythm care, highlighting the integration of advanced 3D mapping with PFA in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

A multidisciplinary team at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, led by Dr. Vanita Arora, Clinical Lead – Cardiac Electrophysiology, treated a 63-year-old woman from Jammu who developed a persistent infection after receiving a conventional dual-chamber pacemaker for complete heart block and episodes of syncope. The team included Dr. Leena Mediratta, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, who supported microbiological assessment and antimicrobial guidance; Dr. Praveen Sodhi, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon, who managed the infected pacemaker pocket and wound; and Dr. Subhash Wangnoo, Endocrinologist, who oversaw diabetes management and peri-procedural glucose control.Following the earlier pacemaker implantation at another hospital, the surgical wound failed to heal and continued to discharge pus despite antibiotic treatment. A culture performed at the previous hospital grew Klebsiella. Her care was further complicated by poorly controlled diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis requiring steroid therapy, both of which can affect infection control and wound healing. She had also previously undergone a left-foot amputation due to diabetic gangrene.After consulting Dr. Arora, the patient was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals on 22 August 2026. The infected pacemaker generator and both transvenous leads were removed, and temporary pacing was established through the left femoral vein to maintain her heart rhythm. Cultures from the infected pacemaker pocket subsequently grew Acinetobacter and Enterobacter, helping guide further infection management.Once the multidisciplinary team determined that the patient was ready for permanent pacing, the choice of device was carefully considered because of her previous pacemaker infection, diabetes and impaired wound healing.On 24 August 2026, Dr. Arora implanted an Abbott AVEIR DR dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system through the right femoral vein. Unlike a conventional pacemaker, the system does not require a surgical pocket beneath the skin of the chest or leads passing through the veins into the heart.Instead, the system uses two small devices placed directly inside the heart: one in the right atrium and the other in the right ventricle. The devices communicate wirelessly on a beat-to-beat basis, allowing them to coordinate the upper and lower chambers and provide dual-chamber pacing.The patient was mobilised within six hours and discharged the following day. At discharge, the two devices were communicating appropriately and the pacing parameters were reported to be satisfactory.By avoiding another chest pocket and transvenous leads, the leadless system provided an alternative for a patient at increased risk of recurrent device infection and poor wound healing. Leadless pacing is not suitable for everyone, and device selection depends on the patient’s rhythm disorder, anatomy, infection status, previous procedures and overall clinical condition.The case highlights how multidisciplinary infection management, control of underlying medical conditions and individualised device selection can support the treatment of patients with complex cardiac pacing needs.