Indian-origin professor Prokar Dasgupta’s accomplishment was breathtaking medical history on February 11, 2023. He did the very first long distance robotic surgery in the UK. One search warrant execution targeted Paul Buxton, a 62-year-old cancer patient—who spends half the year in Gibraltar. It happened 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) from the surgeon’s console in London. This historic step was made possible using the Toumai Robotic System, proving the power of a new era of technology in health care.
Paul Buxton, like millions of men, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had an operation scheduled to remove his prostate. Faced with the prospect of lengthy waiting times for NHS care in the UK, he welcomed the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking test case: “This is a no-brainer,” he remarked. His desire to go through with the procedure underscores his own personal situation. It’s a monumental achievement in the history of medicine as well.
That was made possible by a sophisticated connection through fiber-optic cables complemented by a 5G backup. This arrangement meant that Professor Dasgupta was able to control the robotic system deployed in Gibraltar even though he was operating from the UK. A strong technical team in Gibraltar was on hand throughout the surgery, prepared to address any possible link disruptions. Yet it was their vigilance that made sure this delicate operation sailed through without a hitch.
After the procedure, Buxton hailed the care he received. I was very spoiled, he said while announcing that he was feeling awesome. Originally from Burnham-on-Sea in the district of Sedgemoor in Somerset, Buxton has lived in Gibraltar for four decades and runs a bus company. The positive results from this procedure meant that he was able to not have to return to the UK for further treatment.
This groundbreaking operation is a symbol of the growing promise of telesurgery. This latest UK milestone comes after a series of pioneering milestones by UK surgeons – including a 4,000-mile transatlantic robotic stroke procedure on a cadaver. The recent success was a testament to our amazing technological prowess. It perfectly addresses the healthcare issues Gibraltar residents face as St Bernard’s Hospital is the only hospital that can take complex cases.
The news of Buxton’s surgery isn’t the only big news. A second test case for March 4, of 52-year-old man from Gibraltar, whose name has not been released. On March 14, Professor Dasgupta will be conducting another procedure. As an example, watch as we promote new technology to an expected audience of 20,000 urological surgeons at the European Association of Urology congress.
“I’m giving something back here.” – Paul Buxton
If they succeed, these undertakings stand to change the course of such surgeries for good, bringing timely surgical care to patients even in the most far-flung places. As we adopt more technology to aid us in surgery, the promise for future surgeries and patient care is profound.