Dr Surakshith Battina could have well been an actor. After all, he is the grandson of legendary Tollywood actor Sobhan Babu, who starred in over 200 films in a career spanning more than 35 years. Many film offers came Dr. Battina’s way, but they never materialised, destiny had other plans for him — that of a lifesaver.
In a historic advancement for Indian gynaecology, Dr Surakshith Battina, a laparoscopic surgeon and fertility specialist at Indigo Women’s Centre, Chennai, has broken the Guinness World Record by removing a fibroid-ridden uterus weighing 4.5-kg through minimally invasive laparoscopy. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 4.1 kg, set in 2009 by his late mentor, Dr Rakesh Sinha, in Mumbai.
The procedure was performed on a 44-year-old woman who had been suffering pain and discomfort for years because of the massive fibroid. Due to the size and complexity of the case, she had consulted several surgeons across the country who repeatedly advised open surgery. “She came to us determined to undergo laparoscopic surgery, and we honoured that decision. I’m grateful that we could meet her expectations and push the boundaries safely,” Dr Battina told Hyderabad Chronicle.
For him, surpassing the record set by his mentor, Dr. Sinha, was both an honour and a deeply emotional milestone. “While I take immense pride in this accomplishment, it is accompanied by a sense of regret that he is not here to witness it,” he said.
Patients come first
He emphasised that the accomplishment is more than about setting records. “This surgery isn’t about numbers or titles, it’s about pushing the limits for our patients. Even in massive cases like this, laparoscopy can be safely done in skilled hands, avoiding the trauma of open surgery,” said the world-renowned gynaecological innovator whose pioneering surgical feats have gained him international praise.
Dr. Battina introduced several global surgical standards in Chennai. He was the first to bring “true” 3D laparoscopic technology to the city, improving precision and reducing patient recovery time. His experience includes managing severe endometriosis cases, removing huge fibroids laparoscopically, and executing the world’s first laparoscopic evacuation of a baby from a ruptured uterus in advanced gestation — a feat never done previously in minimally invasive gynaecology.
He developed his extraordinary skillset by receiving specific training in fertility from Dr. Sarat Battina, laparoscopic surgery training from Dr. Rakesh Sinha, and cosmetic gynaecology training from Dr. Alexander Bader in the UK.
Outside operating room
A TEDx speaker, fitness fanatic and digital educator Dr. Surakshith Battina has more than 165,000 Instagram followers and disseminates scientifically supported advice. “I work towards treating the root causes of infertility and promoting natural conception, even if it means going against the tide of the corporatised IVF culture that dominates much of India's fertility landscape,” says Dr Battina.
