Our Journey

Pramodini Urology Foundation was one of Maharashtra’s leading centers for advanced urological care. Over 24 years, the institution grew significantly, supported by the trust and encouragement of medical professionals and the community.

The foundation consistently remained at the forefront of technological advancement in urology. In 2002, it proudly installed Pune’s first standalone Dornier Lithotripsy Machine, marking a major milestone in urinary stone treatment.

In 2004, Pramodini Urology Foundation became the first center in Maharashtra to introduce Plasma Kinetic Energy technology for TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) using ACMI equipment with normal saline as the irrigating medium. This technology was subsequently upgraded to the GYRUS PK system in 2006, further enhancing patient safety and surgical outcomes.

In 2010, the foundation installed the latest 120-Watt Thulium Laser system for prostate surgery, becoming the first center in India to introduce this advanced technology. Dr. Ketan Vartak emerged as a pioneer in Thulium laser education for prostate surgery in India and contributed extensively to the field through publications in international journals. He demonstrated this technique in multiple live operative workshops and national urological conferences across India.

By 2024, Dr. Vartak had successfully performed approximately 4,000 surgeries for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) using the Thulium Laser technique. This advanced technology proved highly effective in treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), bladder tumors, urethral strictures, and other urological conditions. The laser enabled precise removal of prostatic tissue through both enucleation and vaporization techniques.

Thulium laser enucleation allowed complete removal of enlarged prostatic tissue with minimal bleeding. Since normal saline was used as the irrigating fluid, the risk of the potentially life-threatening TURP syndrome was eliminated. Additionally, the vaporization technique proved especially beneficial for patients on blood-thinning medications such as Ecosprin and Clopidogrel, as it significantly minimized bleeding risks and avoided tissue sloughing commonly associated with some other laser systems.

Pramodini Urology Foundation also housed a 35-Watt Holmium Laser system (Quanta, Italy), one of the most advanced technologies used worldwide for urinary stone management. Holmium laser technology enabled effective stone fragmentation without mechanical force, thereby reducing the chances of stone migration during ureteroscopy. It also minimized the need for ureteral stenting, reduced postoperative discomfort, and eliminated the requirement for an additional stent removal procedure in many cases.

In 2010, the foundation introduced Pune’s first 7.5 French Flexible Ureteroscope (CARL STORZ – FLEX-X II) for Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS), enabling minimally invasive access to the pelvicalyceal system through the urethra. In 2020, another milestone was achieved with the introduction of disposable flexible ureteroscopes, which improved accessibility to complex renal anatomy and enhanced stone clearance in difficult-to-reach calyces. These systems offered superior visualization and maneuverability.

To support these advanced endourological procedures, the center installed the Stryker 1688 3-Chip HD Camera System in 2021, ensuring exceptional image resolution and surgical precision.

Further strengthening its stone management capabilities, the Dornier Sigma Lithotripsy Machine had been installed in 2019 to improve stone clearance success rates.

The institution was equipped with state-of-the-art accessories and instrumentation, including the Richard Wolf Morcellator—the first in Maharashtra—for rapid removal of enucleated prostatic tissue, along with advanced resectoscopes, nephroscopes, semirigid ureteroscopes, and morcellation systems.

By 2024, Pramodini Urology Foundation had performed more than 5,000 Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures. The center had successfully treated patients ranging from 1 year to 87 years of age, managing stone sizes from 1 cm to 10 cm. The use of the 19 French Dresden (Richard Wolf) Nephroscope allowed comprehensive access to all calyces, thereby improving stone clearance outcomes.

The foundation had also incorporated Mini-PERC (4–5 mm access) and Ultra Mini-PERC (2–3 mm access) techniques for kidney stone removal through extremely small punctures using laser technology, enabling faster recovery with minimal invasiveness.

In addition to routine endourological procedures such as TURP, ureteroscopy, and bladder stone surgeries, the institute performed a wide range of specialized reconstructive urological procedures, including:

• End-to-end urethroplasty
• Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty
• Pyeloplasty (laparoscopic and open)
• Ureteric reimplantation surgeries
• Hypospadias repair

With more than 10,000 successful surgeries to its credit by 2024, Pramodini Urology Foundation had continued striving toward national and international standards of excellence in urological care, reinforcing its reputation as one of India’s leading institutes in endourology.

As the number of patients undergoing various urological procedures continued to grow, the limited space available at the Fergusson College Road facility gradually became inadequate to meet increasing demands. Consequently, a strategic decision was taken to integrate the hospital’s expertise with a well-established and prestigious healthcare institution such as Apollo Hospitals.

In October 2025, Apollo Hospitals commenced operations in Pune with state-of-the-art urological infrastructure, including the advanced Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System. As part of its vision to establish comprehensive urological services, Apollo Hospitals sought an experienced partner to lead and strengthen its Department of Urology.

Recognizing his extensive expertise and distinguished contribution to the field, Dr. Ketan Vartak, a leading urologist with over 28 years of experience across multiple domains of urology, was invited to lead the Department of Urology. Given the shared commitment to excellence in patient care, innovation, and advanced surgical outcomes, Dr. Vartak accepted the position as Head of the Department of Urology.

Apollo Hospitals, one of India’s most trusted healthcare brands, operates a network of 74 advanced hospitals across India and internationally, offering world-class medical infrastructure and multidisciplinary expertise.

The collaboration between Dr. Ketan Vartak’s extensive clinical experience and Apollo Hospitals’ advanced infrastructure and technology represented a significant step forward in elevating urological care. This synergy was envisioned to bring a new dimension of comprehensive, technologically advanced, and patient-centric urological treatment to the community.