KGMU Successfully Performs Robotic Surgery on Five-Year-Old Boy for Treatment of Choledochal Cyst
Lucknow, August 29, 2026
In a significant achievement in the field of advanced pediatric surgery, the Department of Pediatric Surgery, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, has successfully performed robotic surgery on a five-year-old boy suffering from a congenital bile duct anomaly known as a choledochal cyst.
A choledochal cyst is an abnormal dilation of the bile duct that can hamper the flow of bile into the intestine. The surgical procedure involves removal of the abnormal bile duct followed by reconstruction of the bile drainage pathway into the intestine.
Choledochal cysts are rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 100,000 to 150,000 live births in Western populations, although their incidence is notably higher in some parts of Asia. The condition can cause abdominal pain, jaundice and recurrent infections. Early diagnosis and timely surgical correction are important to prevent long-term liver problems and other complications.
Child Had Been Suffering from Symptoms Since the Age of One
The five-year-old boy, Raj (name changed), from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, had been suffering from intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting since the age of one. His parents consulted several doctors in Sitapur, but the child did not get relief.
The family subsequently consulted Professor (Dr.) Archika Gupta at the Pediatric Surgery OPD of KGMU. Following detailed clinical and radiological evaluation, she diagnosed the child with a choledochal cyst and recommended definitive surgical removal to prevent further complications.
Professor (Dr.) Archika Gupta explained the advantages of robotic surgery, particularly its precision and faster recovery, to the family. After understanding the benefits, the family consented to the robotic approach.
Surgery Performed Through Four Keyhole Incisions
Professor (Dr.) Archika Gupta and her team performed the robotic surgery through four small keyhole incisions. The affected bile duct was removed, followed by reconstruction of the normal bile drainage pathway into the intestine.
The operation was completed without complications. The child experienced a faster recovery with minimal postoperative pain and tolerated feeds within a short period. After a brief hospital stay, he was discharged and is doing well.
Surgical Team
The surgical team comprised Prof. Archika Gupta, Dr. Piyush Kumar, Dr. Manish Rajput, Dr. Amol Agarwal and Dr. Swapnil Singh.
Anesthesia services were provided by Dr. Ramgopal Maurya and his team under the guidance of Dr. Monica Kohli, Professor and Head, Department of Anaesthesia.
The procedure also received dedicated support from Mrs. Reeta, Sister-in-Charge of the Robotic OT, nursing staff Mr. Sanjay Singh, Mr. Rajeev Yadav, Mr. Akash Babu and Mr. Pawan Kumar, and OT technicians Ms. Sonam Gupta and Mr. Kuldeep Singh.
Professor Archika Gupta on the Procedure
Professor (Dr.) Archika Gupta, lead surgeon, said that robotic surgery enabled the team to operate with enhanced visualization and precision, facilitating meticulous dissection in a very small operative field.
She said the team was able to safely remove the cyst and reconstruct the bile drainage pathway while causing minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues. The entire procedure was proctored by Professor Ravi Prakash Kanojia from PGIMER, Chandigarh.
“Our priority was a safe operation with the quickest possible recovery for this young child,” she said.
Professor Ravi Prakash Kanojia Congratulates the Team
Professor (Dr.) Ravi Prakash Kanojia said that the robotic platform is an excellent tool for complex pediatric biliary surgery as it combines magnified 3D vision with fine instrument control.
He noted that robotic pediatric biliary surgery is still performed at only a handful of centres across the country. According to him, the successful case reflects the growing capability of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, KGMU, Lucknow, to provide world-class, minimally invasive surgical care to children.
He congratulated the team for the well-executed procedure and the excellent early outcome.
A Significant Step in Advanced Pediatric Surgery
The successful use of robotic surgery in this young child reflects the growing availability of advanced minimally invasive techniques, particularly robotic surgery, in pediatric surgery at KGMU, Lucknow.
