LONDON: A British surgeon has performed a groundbreaking robotic surgery on a patient located 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) away in Gibraltar, marking a major scientific milestone in telemedicine.
According to BBC reports, this is the first time in UK medical history that a patient has undergone robotic surgery at such a distance. The procedure was carried out using advanced robotic technology, allowing the surgeon to operate as if physically present with the patient.
The patient, 62-year-old Paul Buxson, originally from Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, had moved to Gibraltar 40 years ago. He underwent a prostate removal surgery performed by Professor Prokar Das Gupta, a leading robotic urological surgeon.
The surgery used a robotic system equipped with a 3D HD camera and four robotic arms, controlled via a console in London with a fiber-optic connection and 5G backup, experiencing only 0.06-second latency.
A medical team in Gibraltar remained on standby for emergencies, though the operation proceeded without any interruptions.
Buxson praised the procedure, noting that without tele-surgery he would have had to travel to London, endure NHS waiting lists, and stay there for three weeks. Following the surgery on February 11, he reported feeling much better and well cared for.
This surgery is part of a trial program. A second case was performed on March 4 on an unnamed patient in Gibraltar. Professor Das Gupta will perform another remote surgery on March 14, which will be broadcast live for 20,000 leading urological surgeons at the European Association of Urology Congress.
