Hyderabad infant undergoes robotic kidney surgery in landmark procedure

Surgeons at Citizens Specialty Hospital in Nallagandla, Hyderabad, have performed a robot-assisted pyeloplasty on a two-month-old infant, making the child one of the youngest patients in India to undergo such a procedure. The operation was carried out by consultant paediatric urologist Dr Prabhu Karunakaran to correct a congenital blockage between the kidney and ureter, restoring normal urine flow.

The minimally invasive procedure replaced conventional open surgery, which would have required a larger incision and longer hospital stay. The infant was discharged two days after the operation, reflecting the advantages of robotic-assisted techniques in paediatric care.

Procedure details and patient outcome

The surgery addressed a condition known as ureteropelvic junction obstruction, a blockage where the kidney meets the ureter. In infants, such obstructions can cause urine to back up into the kidney, potentially leading to infection, kidney damage or impaired function if left untreated.

During the robotic pyeloplasty, the surgeon operated from a console using miniaturised instruments and a high-definition 3D camera inserted through small incisions. This approach allowed precise reconstruction of the narrowed segment without the larger cuts associated with open surgery.

Hospital sources confirmed that the baby recovered well and showed normal kidney function on follow-up imaging before discharge. The family has not been identified publicly, and no complications were reported during or after the procedure.

Hospital’s second milestone in paediatric robotic surgery

This is not the first time Citizens Specialty Hospital has achieved a landmark with a very young patient. In 2023, Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy performed a robotic surgery on a 21-day-old infant at the same hospital. That earlier case also involved a urological reconstruction and was reported as one of the youngest robotic procedures in the region at the time.

The latest surgery, performed by a different specialist, builds on the hospital’s growing experience in applying robotic technology to paediatric cases. Both milestones involved infants under three months of age, a group where surgical precision and minimal trauma are especially critical.

Why robotic surgery matters for infants

Robotic-assisted pyeloplasty offers several advantages over open surgery that are particularly significant for very young children. The smaller incisions reduce blood loss and postoperative pain, while the precise movements of robotic instruments lower the risk of damage to delicate surrounding tissues.

Faster recovery times mean shorter hospital stays, which reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections and allows infants to return to normal feeding and development sooner. For families, the reduced scarring and quicker discharge also lower the emotional and logistical burden of prolonged hospitalisation.

However, robotic surgery for infants requires specialised training and equipment not available at all hospitals. The availability of such expertise in Hyderabad means that families in Telangana and neighbouring states can access advanced paediatric surgical care without travelling to other metro cities.

Availability and access in Hyderabad

Citizens Specialty Hospital in Nallagandla is one of the few centres in the region offering robotic paediatric urology services. The hospital has invested in da Vinci robotic systems and trained surgeons who can adapt adult robotic techniques for smaller patients.

Parents of infants diagnosed with ureteropelvic junction obstruction or similar congenital urological conditions may consider robotic pyeloplasty as a treatment option. The procedure is typically recommended when the blockage is significant and likely to affect kidney function. Diagnosis is usually made through prenatal ultrasound or after birth when symptoms such as urinary tract infections or abdominal swelling appear.

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What this means for Hyderabad families

For residents of Hyderabad and the broader Telangana region, this case demonstrates that advanced robotic paediatric surgery is available locally. Parents whose infants require urological correction can now discuss minimally invasive options with specialists without assuming they need to seek treatment in larger cities such as Chennai or Delhi.

It also highlights the growing role of private hospitals in Hyderabad in pushing the boundaries of paediatric surgical care. While government hospitals such as Niloufer Hospital and Gandhi Hospital also handle complex paediatric cases, robotic systems are more commonly found in private tertiary-care centres.

Source limitations

This report is based on information provided by Citizens Specialty Hospital and published by The Hindu Hyderabad on August 24, 2026. Independent verification of the patient’s identity, exact dates and long-term outcomes was not possible due to medical privacy protections. No additional hospital press release or official statement was available at the time of writing. The case has not been independently confirmed by a second medical institution or published in a peer-reviewed journal as of this report.

Source: The Hindu – Hyderabad – https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/two-month-old-undergoes-robotic-surgery-at-hyderabad-hospital/article71384848.ece