A Chinese surgical team has successfully completed the world's first intercontinental robotic prostatectomy, remotely linking a surgeon in Rome to a patient in Beijing. This groundbreaking operation demonstrates the immense potential of telesurgery to shatter geographical barriers in specialized medical care.
Dr. Zhang Xu, the distinguished head of urology at Beijing's PLA General Hospital, orchestrated the complex procedure while physically located in Italy. From Rome, Dr. Zhang precisely controlled a robotic surgical system whose arms, positioned over 8,000 kilometers (approximately 5,000 miles) away in China, performed the intricate prostate surgery on the patient.
The success of this unprecedented feat hinged on the seamless, real-time connectivity provided by high-speed 5G and advanced fiber-optic networks. This robust digital infrastructure ensured the ultra-low latency critical for remote robotic control, proving the technology's readiness for such demanding applications.
While a dedicated backup medical team was on standby in Beijing to ensure patient safety, the primary control of the procedure remained with Dr. Zhang across continents. This pioneering surgery offers a compelling vision for the future of medicine, where specialized expertise can be delivered irrespective of distance, holding particular promise for remote or underserved regions lacking immediate access to top-tier surgical capabilities. The story is from Tech Explorers.