Chinese team perform robotic operation from Rome on patient in Beijing

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a Chinese surgeon remotely performed prostate cancer surgery on a patient in Beijing while stationed in Rome.

From Superinnovators 11/08/24

Surgeon in Rome, Italy (right), patient and robotic implements in Beijing, China. All image credits: CGTN Europe

The operation, which took place in June, was performed by Professor Zhang Xu, who used robotic arms controlled through a surgical console.

The distance between the surgeon and the patient was over 8,000 kilometres.

The telesurgery occurred at a conference in Rome, Italy, while the patient was at the Third Medical Center of the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital in Beijing.

According to a report by Chinese state broadcaster CGTN Europe, a back-up surgical team monitored the procedure in Beijing.

The latency during the surgery was just 135 milliseconds, below the 200 milliseconds limit recommended for telesurgery.

Backup surgeon and doctors surround patient in Beijing.

Zhang explained that communication delays are a major concern in remote surgery, but noted this procedure was almost as seamless as performing surgery in person.

Vito Pansadoro, chairman of the conference, hailed the operation as a historical milestone in the field of robotics and laparoscopy.

The successful procedure has opened new possibilities for surgical treatments, particularly in military medical applications, according to the team.

They plan to explore further uses of this technology in future medical and military contexts.