Indian Army Breaks New Ground: First-Ever Virtual Reality Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery at Command Hospital Kolkata

Indian Army’s Command Hospital Kolkata Pioneers VR-Assisted Surgery

In a historic leap for military healthcare, the Department of Surgery at Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata has successfully performed the first-ever Virtual Reality Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (VRALS) within the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). This achievement marks a landmark integration of immersive technology with minimally invasive surgery, setting new standards for precision, ergonomics, and patient care.

🚀 What Makes VRALS Revolutionary?

• Enhanced Surgical Precision: Virtual Reality overlays provide surgeons with a more detailed, immersive view of the operative field, improving accuracy in delicate procedures.

• Better Ergonomics: Surgeons benefit from improved posture and reduced strain, minimizing fatigue during long operations.

• Smarter Decision-Making: Real-time VR guidance supports intraoperative choices, ensuring safer and more effective outcomes.

• Patient-Centric Care: By combining VR with laparoscopic techniques, patients experience faster recovery, reduced complications, and minimally invasive interventions.

🏥 The Milestone Procedures

The pioneering VRALS was first applied to a gallbladder stone removal surgery, followed by hernia operations, all of which were completed successfully. These cases demonstrate the versatility and reliability of VR integration in routine surgical workflows.

🌍 Why It Matters

This breakthrough is not just a milestone for the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, but also a signal to the global medical community that immersive technologies like VR are ready to transform operating rooms. By reducing surgeon fatigue and enhancing decision-making, VRALS represents a paradigm shift in surgical innovation—especially in high-stakes environments like military healthcare.

As the Armed Forces Medical Services embrace innovation, this advancement underscores India’s growing role in shaping the next frontier of healthcare technology.