Revolutionary remote surgery: cancer patient in Africa operated on in the USA!

Revolutionary remote surgery: cancer patient in Africa operated on in the USA!

In a remarkable medical advance, the first remote-controlled surgery took place over a distance of almost 11,000 kilometers. The procedure, which affected a prostate cancer patient in Angola, was carried out by surgeon Vipul Patel at the Global Robotics Institute at AdventHealth Celebration Hospital in Florida, USA. This is not only the world's first remote treatment over such a distance, but also the first remote-controlled operation on the African continent. Patel called the surgery a significant step toward technological advances and global health equity, especially given limited early detection and specialized surgery options in many African countries, where prostate cancer is often the deadliest cancer in men, particularly in sub-Saharan regions.

In the operating room in Angola, a team of experts consisting of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and engineers supported the project on site. This operation is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a shining example of the possibilities that modern surgery offers in overcoming geographical boundaries.

Historical moments in telesurgery

The latest operation is one of a number of innovative telesurgical procedures. Recently, another intercontinental live-streamed operation was conducted in China, led by Zhang Xu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This took place in Beijing and was controlled from Roma, with the team there using a robotic system developed in China. The procedure also involved the treatment of prostate cancer. 5G Plus Internet communication technology played a crucial role in ensuring low signal latency and high precision.

The “Challenges in Laparoscopy & Robotics” conference in Rome, during which this operation took place, brings together a wide range of experts to promote the exchange of advanced surgical techniques. Zhang's leadership role in performing these complex procedures, which he has presented for 15 years, underscores the importance of such events and the advancement of telesurgery.

The technology behind the surgery

Telesurgery itself is a surgical procedure that allows surgeons to operate at one location from another position. The idea behind it is rooted in military applications that require immediate access to surgical procedures without transporting the wounded in the combat area. Technical challenges such as network latency and the conversion of video images and surgical movements into electronic signals are of central importance. The first projects were considered uninnovative, leading to the development of European projects such as MASTER, which provided the framework for robotic telesurgery.

With developments in 5G technology offering higher bandwidth and lower latency, interest in telesurgery is growing. These advances make it possible to promote international collaboration and improve access to high-quality surgical care worldwide.

Vipul Patel's operation demonstrates the immense potential of these technologies and opens up new perspectives for the treatment of complex diseases, even in regions that previously had little access to specialized medical care.

In summary, both the Angola and China operations represent remarkable steps in the history of medical technology. Such advances are not only technological achievements, but also significant steps towards global health equity.

For more information on these developments, the Kleine Zeitung reference on these historic procedures, the People's Daily on the operations performed by Zhang Xu, and the BDC article on the approaches and prospects of robotic telesurgery can be consulted: Small newspaper, People's Daily, BDC.