TIL Desk Lucknow:
In a powerful testament to a mother’s unwavering love, 51-year-old Sadhana Devi donated her kidney to save the life of her 31-year-old son-in-law, Kamlesh, who was battling end-stage renal disease. The ground-breaking transplant, performed at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow, marks a major leap forward for advanced renal care in Uttar Pradesh, as it was conducted using the state-of-the-art Da Vinci Xi robot.
Kamlesh had been battling severe kidney damage caused by long-standing uncontrolled hypertension. Though he began treatment elsewhere after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease three years ago, his condition continued to deteriorate. The family then decided to approach Max Hospital in Lucknow and consulted Dr Venkatesh Thammishetti, Associate Director- Nephrologist and Renal Transplant Physician. By the time he arrived at the hospital, he was in a critical state with rapidly failing kidney function, making an urgent transplant the only option. With no suitable donors available, his 51-year-old mother-in-law volunteered.
In a pioneering step, the transplant team opted for a robotic-assisted kidney transplant using the advanced Da Vinci Xi robot, known for its precision and unparalleled surgical finesse.
Speaking on the case, Dr. Adittya K Sharma, Director – Urology, Andrology, Kidney Transplant & Robotic Uro-Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow, said, “In this case, despite the donor’s advanced age, we were able to perform the surgery with exceptional accuracy and minimal trauma. The donor recovered remarkably well and was discharged on the fourth day, while the recipient showed excellent recovery and went home by the eighth day. This represents the future of robotic transplant surgeries- safer, smoother, and more patient-friendly.”
Dr Rahul Yadav, Director- Urology, Andrology, Kidney Transplant & Robotic Uro-Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow, while explaining regarding the case performed, mentioned that “Robotic-assisted Kidney Transplantation allowed us to perform the most delicate steps of kidney transplant surgery through very small cuts, with a clear 3D view and far better control of our instruments. This precision is especially useful in complex cases like this one. It helps us reduce bleeding, protect important tissues, and ensure that the kidney starts working smoothly. Watching both the donor and the recipient recover so quickly and comfortably only strengthens my belief that robotic transplantation is the future of kidney transplantation surgery. With the Da Vinci Xi system, we are now able to offer world-class transplant outcomes right here in Uttar Pradesh”.
Dr. Venkatesh Thammishetti, Associate Director- Nephrologist and Renal Transplant Physician, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow, emphasized the significance of bringing such cutting-edge care closer to patients, “Our mission is to ensure that patients in Uttar Pradesh no longer need to travel to metro cities for complex transplant solutions. With robotic kidney transplantation now available in Lucknow, we are delivering world-class expertise right here in the region. This advancement will benefit thousands of patients across Eastern and Central UP who deserve timely, high-end medical care.”
With this milestone, Max Hospital, Lucknow, continues to set new benchmarks in complex kidney care—bringing hope, innovation, and world-class expertise closer to home for countless families.
