Member's Zone
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar,
Medical Director at Galaxy Care Hospital
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar is a renowned laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgeon based in Pune. After completing his Master's in Surgery from BJMC, Pune, he received advanced training at Tata Memorial Hospital, followed by specialized training in Switzerland and the USA. In 2003, he became the first surgeon in India to perform cervical cancer surgery using keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques. His technique for Radical Hysterectomy for Cancer of the Cervix was published in a prestigious American Journal and became known as the "Pune Technique". Today, the technique is practiced in over 40 countries. The Pune Technique played a pivotal role in making laparoscopic surgery for gynecological cancers widely accepted and accessible in India. Dr. Puntambekar also trained surgeons at India's leading cancer institutes—including Kidwai (Bangalore), RGCIRC (Delhi), GCRI (Gujarat), Adyar (Chennai), Guwahati Cancer Centre, Gwalior Cancer Centre, and others. In 2009, he became the first surgeon in India to perform robotic surgeries for all types of cancer, ushering in a new era of Robotic Cancer Surgery in the country.
India's First Uterine Transplant by Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar performed the first uterine transplant of India at "Galaxy Care Laparoscopy Institute, Pune". Thus, India became the first country in Asia to have successfully carried out Uterine Transplants! One in every 4000 women is born without a uterus. Uterine transplant opened new possibilities for these women to conceive and give birth to a baby!
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar – Best Cancer Specialist in Pune
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar is a renowned laparoscopic Best cancer specialist in Pune. After completing his Master's in Surgery from BJMC, Pune, he received advanced training at Tata Memorial Hospital, followed by specialized training in Switzerland and the USA. In 2003, he became the first surgeon in India to perform cervical cancer surgery using keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques. His technique for Radical Hysterectomy for Cancer of the Cervix was published in a prestigious American Journal and became known as the "Pune Technique". Today, the technique is practiced in over 40 countries.
The Pune Technique played a pivotal role in making laparoscopic surgery for gynecological cancers widely accepted and accessible in India, offering its benefits to a broader population. Thanks to his contribution, major cancer centers across the country gradually adopted laparoscopy.
As a leading best cancer specialist in Pune, he also trained surgeons at India's leading cancer institutes including Kidwai (Bangalore), RGCIRC (Delhi), GCRI (Gujarat), Adyar (Chennai), Guwahati Cancer Centre, Gwalior Cancer Centre, and others — helping to popularize laparoscopy and reduce patient suffering nationwide.
In 2009, he became the first surgeon in India to perform robotic surgeries for all types of cancer, ushering in a new era of robotic cancer surgery in the country.
Why Choose Dr Shailesh Puntambekar?
Patients choose Dr Shailesh Puntambekar because of his exceptional expertise, pioneering innovations, and decades of commitment to cancer care.
- 30+ years of experience in cancer surgery
- Expertise in laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgery
- International recognition in surgical oncology
- Pioneer of the Pune Technique
- Thousands of successful cancer surgeries
His commitment to innovation and patient care makes him one of the best cancer surgeons in Pune.
Leading Laparoscopic & Robotic Cancer Surgeon in Pune
Dr Shailesh Puntambekar is widely recognized as the best laparoscopic cancer surgeon in Pune, specializing in minimally invasive surgical techniques that allow patients to recover faster with less pain and fewer complications.
His surgical expertise includes:
- Laparoscopic cancer surgery
- Robotic cancer surgery
- Gynecologic oncology surgery
- Gastrointestinal cancer surgery
- Advanced pelvic cancer surgery
- Complex abdominal cancer surgery, and more
With thousands of successful cancer surgeries performed, he is considered a leading surgical oncologist in Pune. Known for his patient-centric approach, he ensures every treatment plan is carefully customized to the individual needs of each patient.
Benefits of Laparoscopic Cancer Surgery
Patients seeking laparoscopic cancer surgery in Pune often consult Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar for his expertise and experience.
Robotic Cancer Surgery Leader in India
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar is also a renowned robotic cancer surgeon in Pune, bringing cutting-edge surgical technology to cancer care. Robotic surgery enables surgeons to perform highly complex procedures with enhanced precision.
At Galaxy Care Hospital, patients have access to state-of-the-art robotic surgery facilities designed to provide the best possible outcomes in cancer treatment.
Medical Experience & Surgical Expertise
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar's journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of India's most celebrated cancer surgeons in Pune is truly inspiring. With a vision to make advanced cancer care accessible, he dedicated himself to mastering the most innovative techniques and pioneering in laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgery in India.
Over the years, his relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to patient care have earned him acclaim both in India and internationally. Today, he is a sought-after expert, regularly invited to perform surgeries and train medical professionals worldwide. His story exemplifies how dedication, skill, and visionary thinking can create a lasting impact in the healthcare world.
India's First Uterine Transplant
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar performed the first uterine transplant of India at "Galaxy Care Laparoscopy Institute, Pune". Thus, India became the first country in Asia to have successfully carried out Uterine Transplants! Pune is now recognized for this unique feat on the world map.
One in every 4000 women is born without a uterus. Uterine transplant opened new possibilities for these women to conceive and give birth to a baby, giving a ray of hope to thousands of such women.
18th October 2018: Successful delivery of India's first uterine transplant surgery patient. The first baby girl was born happy and healthy at Galaxy Care Multispecialty Hospital, Pune — the 12th uterus transplant baby in the world.
Pioneering the Pune Technique for Cervical Cancer Surgery
He is a born teacher who takes pride in training young surgeons. He was the first in India to perform cervical cancer surgery by laparoscopy in 2003 and published his technique in a renowned American journal as the "Pune Technique" of radical hysterectomy. The technique gained wide popularity due to its simplicity and standardization, allowing surgeons from around the world to easily replicate it.
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar has been invited by many countries to perform live surgical workshops in Germany, England, France, Romania, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Greece.
He has trained more than 500 surgeons in India and over 200 internationally to perform surgeries using this technique, which has now been adopted by more than 40 countries across the globe. Over the past few years, his lectures on pelvic anatomy have been widely acclaimed for introducing new concepts in the field.
Awards, Achievements & Global Recognition
AAGL Spotlight: Making the Country Proud
For the first time for any Indian/Asian, he performed a live surgery from Pune at the AAGL Conference in the USA in 2008, which was watched by over 3,000 surgeons from around the world. Since post-independence, Indian surgeons would traditionally go to the West to learn new techniques, but following this surgery, many international surgeons began visiting his centre in Pune for training.
With an Indian degree, his surgical expertise earned him licenses to operate in multiple countries across Europe, America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He became the first Indian to be elected as a board member of AAGL and served as its International Secretary General for the Asia-Pacific region.
He has won the prestigious Golden Telescope Award for the best video at AAGL four times (in the years 2005, 2009, and 2012), and is the only Indian surgeon to achieve this feat. He also received the Kurt Semm Award for best video at AAGL 2015. He is India's first robotic oncosurgeon and has performed more than 400 robotic surgeries. He was also the first Indian to perform all major cancer surgeries laparoscopically and robotically, and holds the largest publication series on laparoscopic surgeries for colorectal, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers.
Major Achievements
- International recognition for developing the Pune Technique
- Prestigious awards from leading global surgical societies
- Invited as faculty member and speaker at international oncology conferences
- Significant contributions to surgical education and training worldwide
His work has helped place Pune on the global map for advanced laparoscopic cancer surgery.
Teaching, Workshops & International Training
Cervical cancer is the leading cancer among women. Scarless surgery enables these women to recover faster and return to their daily lives with minimal disruption.
Travelling across the country, he has performed free surgeries in more than 500 live surgical workshops. For the past 22 years, he has been offering free-of-cost surgeries in government hospitals such as Sassoon Hospital, Cantonment Hospital, YCM Hospital, Bharti Hospital, Symbiosis Hospital, GMC Nagpur, as well as in various charitable institutions across Pune. Through these efforts, countless women with uterine and cervical cancer have received laparoscopic or robotic surgery, ensuring painless procedures and a quicker return to normal life.
He has been a driving force in promoting and popularising laparoscopy for all types of cancer surgeries in India. In 2017, he performed the first uterine transplant in India and Asia, right here in Pune. The first two transplants were done completely free of cost for the patients. Till today, every transplant, including two performed at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, has been carried out by his team for free.
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar is deeply committed to advancing surgical education. He has conducted live surgical demonstrations and training workshops at leading medical institutions worldwide.
His training programs focus on:
- Advanced laparoscopic cancer surgery techniques
- Robotic cancer surgery training
- Minimally invasive gynecologic oncology procedures
Surgeons from across the world attend these programs to learn the latest surgical techniques developed by him at Galaxy Care Hospital.
Pioneering Against All Odds
With no available training or established guidelines in advanced laparoscopy for cancer surgery, he had to self-train—a journey filled with trials and scepticism. Despite criticism from peers for attempting complex cancer surgeries laparoscopically, he persevered. Through sheer determination, he developed his own techniques and successfully performed the world's first laparoscopic uterine transplant.
His remarkable journey inspired the Marathi movie Shwaas (2004), which won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and was India's official entry to the Oscars in 2005. He has also authored a Marathi book titled Scalpel, Scopy, and Robot, along with six medical books and contributions to 20 international publications.
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar's journey is a testament to how passion, perseverance, and purpose can redefine the boundaries of surgical excellence.
FAQs
Dr Shailesh Puntambekar is widely recognized as the top cancer surgeon in Pune due to his expertise in laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgery and his development of the Pune Technique.
Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar treats a wide range of cancers, particularly those requiring advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery. His expertise includes the treatment of cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine (endometrial) cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer. He also manages complex abdominal and pelvic cancers using minimally invasive surgical techniques that help improve surgical precision and support faster patient recovery.
Laparoscopic Cancer Surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to remove cancerous tumors. It involves making small incisions through which specialized instruments and a tiny camera (laparoscope) are inserted to perform the procedure with high precision. Compared to traditional open surgery, this approach typically results in less pain, smaller scars, faster recovery, and fewer complications for patients.
To book an appointment with Dr Shailesh Puntambekar, the best cancer specialist in Pune, you can call us at 020-67429800/2/3 or +91-020-25466122 or +91-020-25466120. You can also send us an email at info@galaxycare.org providing your name, phone number, brief medical history and preferred date/time for the appointment. Our team will get in touch with you soon.
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