A Conversation About Robotic Surgery with a Trusted Robotic Surgeon in Mumbai
- Pooja Vishwakarma
- 33 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Recently visited Dr. Chintamani Godbole, a leading robotic surgeon in Mumbai, at Gadre Hospital. Over the course of a detailed interview, I sought to understand not just his surgical technique, but the philosophy behind his practice—and how patients in India are increasingly benefiting from advanced, minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery.
Dr. Chintamani Godbole : Background, Training, and Practice
Dr. Chintamani Godbole is a super-specialist colorectal surgeon whose credentials reflect a profound commitment to cancer care. He holds MS, DNB (Surgical Gastroenterology), and FRCS (Edinburgh). He went on to complete fellowships in Robotic Colorectal Surgery (Coventry, UK) and Colorectal & Peritoneal Oncology (Basingstoke, UK).
According to his profile, Dr. Godbole’s areas of expertise include robotic and laparoscopic surgery for colon and rectal cancer, sphincter-preserving resections for rectal cancer, cytoreductive surgery, and HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) for peritoneal malignancies. He is also experienced in managing inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and pelvic-floor disorders like faecal incontinence.
During my visit to Gadre Hospital, located near Hindmata Cinema in Dadar East, Mumbai, I toured his surgical setup. The hospital has small-incision operating theatres suited for minimally invasive robotic work. The team here emphasises precision: in robotic colorectal surgery, the robotic arms—controlled by Dr. Godbole from a console—move with “wrist-like” flexibility, stabilising tremors and enabling meticulous dissection. This is especially helpful in rectal cancer surgery, where structures are deep in the pelvis and close to vital organs.
He also ensures that post-operative care is well-defined: patients are encouraged to mobilise early, pain is managed conservatively, and follow-up includes checks for bowel function, wound healing, and oncologic surveillance.
Other Notable Robotic Colorectal Surgeons in Mumbai
To give a broader perspective, here are two other surgeons in Mumbai performing similar treatments:
Prof. Dr. Avanish Saklani – Based at Tata Memorial Centre, he is a Professor of Colorectal & Robotic Surgery.
Pros: Highly experienced (over two decades), well known for sphincter-saving robotic resections and pelvic exenteration; strong academic presence; part of large cancer-care multidisciplinary teams.
Cons: As a very senior oncologist, he may be in high demand; large institutional setting may involve longer waiting times, and costs can be substantial.
Typical Cost Range: For robotic colorectal cancer surgery at a premier cancer center like Tata Memorial, costs may vary significantly (often several lakhs), depending on stage, hospital admission, and ancillary therapy.
Precautions & Aftercare: He emphasises careful preoperative staging, neoadjuvant therapy when needed, and close postoperative monitoring; he also supports research-based care (e.g., clinical trials).
Dr. Manoj Mulchandani – Consultant, General Laparoscopic & Robotic Colorectal Surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.
Pros: Two decades of surgical practice; trained in the UK; handles not only cancer but also benign colorectal conditions (IBD, pelvic floor disorders); very experienced in complex cases.
Cons: As with any robotic surgery, cost and resource intensity can be high; sometimes robotic tools may lengthen surgery time compared to open approach (depending on case); not every patient is a candidate for robotics.
Typical Cost Range: At a corporate hospital like Kokilaben, robotic colorectal resections may cost in the mid-to-high lakhs, depending on hospital stay, consumables, and pre-/post-operative demands.
Precautions & Aftercare: Dr. Mulchandani advises patients on bowel preparation, prehabilitation (nutrition & physical fitness), and gradual resumption of diet. Post-surgery, he recommends regular follow-up, including imaging, functional bowel assessment, and counseling for quality-of-life issues.
Pros and Cons of Robotic Colorectal Surgery
Pros:
Precision: The robotic system offers excellent dexterity, allowing Dr. Godbole to operate in tight pelvic spaces while minimizing damage to nearby organs.
Minimally Invasive: Smaller incisions lead to less pain, reduced blood loss, earlier mobilization, and shorter hospital stay.
Sphincter Preservation: For rectal cancers, robotics makes it more feasible to perform sphincter-saving resections without compromising oncological safety.
Better Recovery & Quality of Life: Patients may recover bowel function more quickly and maintain better continence and overall function.
Cons:
Cost: Robotic systems are expensive, and the consumables add up; this may make the surgery costlier than open or laparoscopic alternatives.
Longer Operating Time (Sometimes): Especially early in a surgeon’s robotic career, the setup and docking time may increase surgery duration.
Access & Eligibility: Not all hospitals have a robotic system; also, not all tumors or patients are suitable for robotic surgery (very advanced disease or very frail patients may not be ideal).
Learning Curve: Robotic colorectal surgery requires significant training; outcomes depend heavily on the surgeon’s experience.
Precautions and Aftercare Advice from Dr. Godbole
During our talk, Dr. Chintamani Godbole was very candid about what patients should know:
Preoperative Planning: He places great emphasis on pre-surgery staging (MRI, CT), bowel preparation, and optimization of general health (e.g., nutrition, anemia correction).
Patient Counseling: He stresses that patients should understand both the benefits and risks of robotic surgery; no guarantees, but the goal is optimal cancer control with minimal functional loss.
Post-Surgery Recovery: He encourages early ambulation, pain management through non-opioid medications as much as possible, and regular wound inspection.
Long-Term Follow-Up: After discharge, he schedules visits for cancer surveillance, assessment of bowel and urinary function, and rehabilitation if required. He also liaises with oncologists and radiologists for a multidisciplinary care plan.
My Reflections as a Journalist
What impressed me most about Dr. Chintamani Godbole was his humility. Even though he’s a robotic surgeon in Mumbai practicing high-stakes cancer surgery, his focus was never on “technology for show.” He repeatedly spoke of “precision with purpose” — using the robot not because it’s flashy, but because in cases like low rectal cancer, it can make a real difference for a patient’s long-term quality of life.
Also, his setup at Gadre Hospital may not be the largest cancer centre, but it is efficient, patient-centric, and well integrated with post-operative care. It speaks of a model that blends advanced technology with grounded clinical care — a balance that many patients deeply appreciate.
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