If widely adopted, the technology could make advanced surgical treatment more accessible to patients around the world
A major medical milestone has been achieved in the United Kingdom after an Indian-origin surgeon successfully carried out the country’s first remote robotic surgeries across international borders.
Professor Prokar Dasgupta, a leading urological surgeon based in London, performed the operations on patients in Gibraltar from nearly 2,400 kilometres away. The procedures were conducted using advanced robotic technology that allows surgeons to control instruments remotely with extreme precision.
Dasgupta heads the Robotic Centre of Excellence at The London Clinic and is widely recognised as a pioneer in robotic surgery
One of the procedures involved removing part of a patient’s prostate gland, a surgery known as a prostatectomy. The operation was performed on a 52-year-old patient, marking a historic moment for the use of remote medical technology in the UK.
The project was carried out through collaboration between The London Clinic and St Bernard’s Hospital in Gibraltar. Surgeons in Gibraltar assisted during the operation while Dasgupta directed the robotic system from London.
The technology used in the surgery included a high-speed fibre-optic connection and advanced 3D cameras that allowed the surgeon to operate with a delay of only a fraction of a second.
Experts say the breakthrough could transform healthcare by making specialist surgery accessible to patients in remote or smaller regions where experienced surgeons may not always be available.
One of the patients who took part in the trial, Paul Buxton, said he was initially nervous about the idea of remote surgery but later felt proud to be part of medical history. He also reported a faster recovery compared with his previous operations.
Medical leaders believe telesurgery could reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialist care.
Health authorities in the UK are already exploring plans to expand remote robotic surgery as part of long-term healthcare improvements.
