Gibraltar’s Paul Buxton, who originally comes from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, has just made medical history. He is the first patient in the United Kingdom to be operated on telesurgically via remote control. This pioneering procedure happened on 11 February and was a historic moment not only for Cameroon but for the entire world of surgery.
The 64-year-old transportation business owner received devastating news of prostate cancer immediately after the holidays. After receiving the diagnosis, Buxton was about to go on the NHS waiting list for treatment. That would involve him having to travel down to London, and possibly having to remain there for up to three weeks. So when Buxton heard about the innovative new telesurgery trial, he leapt at the opportunity to take part. He viewed it not as a setback, but as an opportunity to make a greater impact.
The operation, which took place in the UK, was carried out by Professor Prokar Dasgupta, who used the £1 million Toumai Robotic System. The robotic console in the UK was able to connect with the surgical robot in Gibraltar through fibre-optic cables. This connection was backed up with a secondary 5G link for more redundant reliability. This technology allowed operators in the field to have exacting control of the robotic field instruments remotely. Thanks to this unusual triangular geography, Buxton was able to access high-quality care despite the distance.
Buxton said that he was excited to be making an important contribution to this medical breakthrough. He stated, “I thought, I’m giving something back here,” highlighting his eagerness to contribute to the evolution of surgical practices. Despite initial skepticism from some acquaintances, “A lot of people actually said to me: ‘You’re not going to do it, are you?’” he remained resolute in his decision.
After the successful procedure, Buxton said he was feeling “incredible” and applauded the quality of care he received every step of the way. He commented that he was “really well looked after,” doubling down on remote surgical praxis strong enough to make a district health board cower.
