TORC launches state-of-the-art robot for knee replacement

Robotics in the field of medicine has advanced considerably that with big data and the presence of AI (Artificial Intelligence), patients should benefit with better results, said Information Technology and Digital Services Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.

Speaking at the launch of a state-of-the-art robot for advanced knee replacement at the Taj Orthopaedic Research Centre (TORC), a unit of Taj Hospitals here, he said that when proper training was imparted to the AI, it had been found to be delivering better results than humans.

However, for accountability purposes, human beings (doctors) were mandatory and hence, a balanced methodology would be ideal.

Commending the TORC for launching such a facility to Madurai, Dr. Rajan said that Madurai has excellent potential on medical tourism. He also recalled the efforts made by him for expanding the Madurai airport while he was then a Finance Minister and assured that he would pursue with the authorities in the Union government in this regard.

Explaining the salient features, TORC consultant and orthopaedic joint replacement surgeon Kunal Dheep said that the robotic technique was not only precise, but helps perform the surgery swiftly. For the patients, he pointed out that the pain was less and the blood loss too was minimal.

Though the cost was marginally on the higher side, Dr. Kunal said that within a short period of installation, about 15 patients had undergone surgeries with the new facility and the results were encouraging, especially, in the post-operative stage.

All Trade and Agro Food Chamber of Commerce president S. Rethinavelu, Dr. Dheep, Dr. Sudha Dheep, StartupTN chief executive officer Sivarajah Ramanathan and others participated at the launch session.