On February 11, 2023, a new milestone in medical history arrived. When Professor Prokar Dasgupta performed the prostate removal operation on Paul Buxton, he was 1,500 miles away in Gibraltar. This pioneering surgery marked the first time that such a procedure has been conducted remotely, utilizing advanced robotic technology and a high-speed communication system.
The operation, led by Professor Dasgupta, was conducted from London. At the same time, Buxton was at St Bernard’s Hospital in Gibraltar – the island’s only hospital. The distance between them was 1,500 miles (2400 kilometers). This operation proved beyond a doubt that telesurgery can respond to complicated medical needs in vastly separated geographic areas. Gibraltarians frequently find it difficult to obtain specialized care. When they do qualify, they often make the trip to the UK just to take advantage of NHS care.
The entire operation was conducted using the revolutionary Toumai Robotic System. This technology finished that connection – from the console in London, through fibre-optic cables, to the robotic apparatus in Gibraltar. Even an emerging technology—5G network—to be used as a backup link helped to stabilize the connection during the procedure. A technical team from a local university in Gibraltar was on hand to address any potential technical challenges. Fortunately, the connection held up all 6 hours of Operation.
After the groundbreaking surgery, Buxton was understandably thrilled to be a part of “medical history.” He understood that if he opted for conventional surgery, it would have required a journey to London. He would, like every other Brit, be subject to a long NHS waiting list.
“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’” – Paul Buxton
Post-surgery, Buxton said that he felt “pretty darn good” and touted the care he’s received. What struck us the most was hearing him say that he was “really well looked after” when he stayed at St Bernard’s Hospital.
Professor Dasgupta offered his email to answer any queries related to the operation. It was like I was almost there,” he told me about the procedure. He had high hopes for what telesurgery could mean in the future around the world, citing the humanitarian aspect as crucial for its evolution.
“I think it is very, very exciting, the humanitarian benefit is going to be significant” – Professor Prokar Dasgupta
This new surgical approach is being revolutionary. On March 14, Professor Dasgupta will repeat the process above. This time, he will live-stream it to 20,000 urological surgeons watching the operation during the European Association of Urology congress. As with each previous operation, this upcoming attempt will push the boundaries of the capabilities of remote surgery.
Buxton’s operation is the second of two successful test-cases for this new method. Further surgery is planned on March 4 in Gibraltar for a 52-year-old, whose name wasn’t disclosed. Technological innovations have the ability to improve and revolutionize the way complicated and delicate surgeries are performed all over the world.