In a world first, 62-year-old cancer patient Paul Buxton has had his prostate removed by robot. Most impressively, he managed to achieve this goal from 1,500 miles away, in Gibraltar. On February 11th of this year, an exciting new precedent was set. It was beautifully delivered by Professor Prokar Dasgupta, one of the world’s leading robotic urological surgeons based in London.
Buxton, who is originally from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, came to Gibraltar 40 years ago. Now, he’s confronting an extremely important choice regarding his care. By choosing the telesurgery route, he skipped the long NHS waiting list and traveling to London. Instead, he stayed in Gibraltar letting Professor Dasgupta work remotely through the Toumai Robotic System, a highly specialized telepresence robot.
The surgical console in London was deeply wired − literally! − to the robotic system in Gibraltar via fibre-optic cables. In addition, a backup 5G link ensured a seamless connection during the operation, showcasing the potential of modern technology in healthcare.
Reflecting on his decision, Buxton stated, “If I hadn’t gone for the telesurgery in Gibraltar, then I would have had to have flown to London. I would have had to go on the NHS waiting list, get the procedure done and I would have probably been in London for three weeks. So I thought: ‘This is a no-brainer.’”
Days after the surgery, Buxton told the staff that he was very pleased with the experience and recovery. He remarked, “I was really well looked after and I’m feeling fantastic.” His involvement in this pioneering procedure was of huge personal benefit to him. It set him up to be the singular star in what he dubbed “the greatest medical story ever told.”
Professor Dasgupta reiterated Buxton’s sentiment on the importance of this all-star play in medical technology. He noted, “I think it is very, very exciting. The humanitarian benefit is going to be significant.” This telesurgery could pave the way for future procedures that allow patients to receive high-quality medical care without traveling long distances.
This groundbreaking procedure is a wonderful example of the amazing potential of robotic surgery. It celebrates and highlights the ways we are decreasing wait times and increasing access to healthcare for patients around the globe.