Sri Lanka marks first with AI-assisted robotic surgeries

Colombo, July 14 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka has successfully carried out its first AI-assisted robotic surgeries.

The two procedures were performed by specialist surgeons at Asiri Surgical Hospital in Colombo using advanced robotic technology. 

One surgery involved the removal of the uterus of a woman in her 50s, while the other was a complex kidney procedure.

Medical experts said the robotic system does not perform operations autonomously but functions entirely under the surgeon’s control. Using a specialised console, surgeons guide robotic arms that replicate their hand movements with enhanced precision.

They said the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced programming enables the system to execute highly precise movements, improving the accuracy of complex surgical procedures.

Chief Operating Officer of Asiri Surgical Hospital, Dr. Samanthi de Silva, said robotic-assisted surgery offers several advantages, including reduced blood loss, smaller incisions, a lower risk of infection, faster recovery and a reduced likelihood of surgical errors.