A French surgeon used a Chinese-made robot to perform prostate cancer surgery on a patient in Morocco, 12,000 kilometres away. This intercontinental procedure has set a record as the longest remote surgery ever performed, with a round-trip transmission distance exceeding 30,000 kilometres, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The surgery, conducted on November 16, utilised the Toumai Robot, a cutting-edge surgical system capable of real-time, high-definition imaging and precise control. Dr. Youness Ahallal successfully removed the prostate tumor and sutured the area in under two hours.
Even with the huge distance, the delay in communication was just over 100 milliseconds, allowing smooth coordination between the robotic arm in Morocco and the surgeon in Shanghai.
The Toumai Robot is renowned for its precision, flexibility, and stability, qualities crucial for intricate operations. After the successful surgery, Dr. Ahallal in statement said that the clear and smooth real-time video feed, achieved using a standard broadband connection instead of the more advanced 5G technology showed the the system’s efficiency.
Previously in October, the Toumai Robot assisted in a minimally invasive kidney surgery between Shanghai and Benin, West Africa, a round-trip transmission of 27,000 kilometres.
China has emerged as a leader in surgical robotics, with the sector projected to grow to $38.4 billion by 2026, fueled by rapid 5G network expansion.
At the end of August, the country had over 4 million 5G base stations, making high-speed, low-latency medical applications like remote surgery increasingly feasible.
The Toumai Robot, which received EU CE certification in May, is now approved for multiple procedures, including urology, thoracic surgery, and gynecological endoscopy.
Longest remote surgery: Patient in Morocco gets operated by doctor sitting in China
