A major boost to advanced minimally invasive surgery with the India-made SSi Mantra 3 system
Billroth Hospitals, one of Chennai’s leading multispeciality centres and an early adopter of advanced laparoscopic and laser technologies, has announced the launch of its Institute of Robotic Surgery. The new centre marks a significant expansion of the hospital’s minimally invasive surgical programme and introduces the SSi Mantra 3, a next-generation surgical robot developed in India by SS Innovations. With this launch, Billroth aims to bring high-precision robotic procedures to a wider patient community at an accessible cost.
Billroth Hospitals
The robotic platform will be used across an extensive range of specialties including oncology, gastrointestinal surgery, urology, thoracic surgery, gynaecology and complex general surgery. The SSi Mantra 3 will support detailed and often high-risk procedures involving the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, biliary system, intestines, rectum and anal canal. It will also assist urological surgeries involving the kidney, ureter, bladder and prostate. Its capabilities extend to procedures for reproductive tract conditions, retroperitoneal tumours and tumours of the chest.
With this new system, Billroth Hospitals expects notable improvements in outcomes for complex hernia repairs, bile duct exploration, diaphragmatic repair, hiatus hernia fundoplication, metabolic and bariatric surgery, hysterectomy and tubal reimplantation. High-end procedures such as liver transplantation and cardiac bypass are also anticipated to benefit from the dexterity and stability of the robotic arms, which can access challenging areas of the body with a level of precision beyond the limits of traditional human movement.
The SSi Mantra 3 is built with three to five modular robotic arms and supports more than forty robotic endo-surgical instruments. Surgeons can configure the equipment specifically for each procedure, improving efficiency inside the operating room. The open-face console features a 32-inch 3D 4K display along with ergonomic controls and head-tracking safety features. These tools provide superior visual clarity, greater depth perception and steadier control, particularly during prolonged surgeries that demand high concentration.
Dr Rajesh Jeganathan, Chairman of Billroth Hospitals, said that the launch of a dedicated centre of excellence for robot-assisted surgery is an important milestone for the institution. He emphasised that the hospital’s goal is to democratise minimally invasive surgical care by making it both accessible and affordable. According to him, patients who are candidates for laparoscopic procedures should consider robotic surgery, as both technologies follow minimally invasive principles. He noted that robotic approaches allow surgeons to perform even complex operations with enhanced safety, faster recovery and reduced hospital stays, ultimately bringing down the overall cost of treatment. Dr Jeganathan highlighted the particular benefits for cancer patients who require intricate resections or long surgical durations. The technique allows patients to stand and move as early as the next day, which significantly supports accelerated recovery.
He added that robotic systems bring a substantial improvement in surgical precision. Traditional open surgery does not offer the magnified 4K 3D view that robotic systems deliver, and this enhanced visibility helps preserve natural depth perception while improving clarity. The stable platform reduces unintended hand movements, minimises blood loss and enables more accurate navigation within small or difficult-to-reach spaces. Surgeons operate from an ergonomically designed console, reducing fatigue and enabling sustained concentration throughout long procedures.
Billroth Hospital, founded by the late Dr V. Jeganathan in 1990 as a modest 30-bed facility, has grown into a 650-bed multi-speciality institution while remaining committed to its founding vision of accessible, high-quality healthcare. A team of skilled doctors, advanced medical technologies and trained paramedical staff continue to uphold this mission.
For more details, visit www.billrothhospitals.com.
