Paul Buxton, a 62-year-old cancer patient from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, recently made headlines as he became part of a pioneering medical procedure. On February 11, 2023, a pioneering telesurgery procedure occurred. This meant that when Buxton needed to remove his prostate surgically, he could lead a stress-free life in Gibraltar, where he has lived for the last 40 years.
His journey would unexpectedly start with a life changing diagnosis of prostate cancer shortly after Christmas. As the sole owner of a small transport business, he was horrified by having to go to London for his treatment. The alternative NHS waiting list would have meant him being away from home for at least three weeks. The Toumai Robotic System dramatically changed his care. Thanks to this technology, he was treated by Professor Prokar Dasgupta, one of the UK’s leading robotic urological surgeons.
The cutting-edge operation employed a console in the UK. This console was deeply embedded with robotic gear back in Gibraltar via dense fibre-optic cables. It possessed a redundancy 5G tether. This arrangement made it possible for Professor Dasgupta to carry out the surgery remotely and demonstrate the future possibilities of cutting-edge technology in medicine.
Buxton shared his excitement about being part of this innovative procedure. He called it a “no-brainer” decision, recognizing the chance to be “part of medical history.” He stressed the excellent quality of health care he received throughout the surgical process. “I had the most amazing care,” he said, noting that he was “feeling wonderful” just after surgery.
Reflecting on the choice of telesurgery, 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.”
We followed that discussion with Professor Prokar Dasgupta who explained just how important this development is. He explained that this technology “gives us the opportunity to treat patients in remote areas and smaller communities by literally being able to take the best surgeon anywhere.”
Now, this operation represents the inaugural of two planned test cases. The second surgery held on March 4, also in Gibraltar, was performed on an unnamed 52-year-old man.