On February 11, Professor Prokar Dasgupta made a name for himself by reaching a medical milestone. London’s top robotic urological surgeon, he carried out the UK’s first long-distance robotic surgery. The 3D printed model helped the team safely extract the prostate gland from 61-year-old Paul Buxton. Instead he turned up an incredible 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) away in Gibraltar. This pioneering procedure utilized the Toumai Robotic System, connecting the surgeon to the patient through advanced fiber-optic cables and a backup 5G link.
Professor Dasgupta’s achievement is a remarkable testament to the awesome power of today’s technology. Beyond the personal stories of their journey, it highlights the ways that telesurgery can provide essential surgical care, even in remote locations. Equally impressive, the operation was executed by the team with extraordinary precision. Back in Gibraltar, a special support team was on hand to tackle any connectivity problems, which didn’t present while the surgery was underway.
After the successful procedure, Paul Buxton told us his story on camera and expressed his gratitude for the care he received. He stated, “I was really well looked after and I’m feeling fantastic following the operation.” His inventive style ensured that he avoided making the arduous journey to London. He skipped the queue for NHS surgery. He reflected on his decision to pursue telesurgery, saying, “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… So I thought: ‘This is a no-brainer.’”
On 14 March, Professor Dasgupta will carry out his second robotic procedure. This operation thereafter will be live-streamed to approximately 20,000 of the world’s leading urological surgeons at the European Association of Urology congress. He expressed enthusiasm about the implications of his work, stating, “I think it is very, very exciting. The humanitarian benefit is going to be significant.”
The role of robotic technology, not just in surgery but overall, is still being defined with great opportunities on the horizon for improved patient care. His invaluable experience gained from taking part in a 4,000-mile transatlantic robotic stroke procedure on a cadaver. This unprecedented accomplishment cements his deep knowledge of this new arena.