Paul Buxton, a 62-year-old run-away cancer patient from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, has just made medical history. As a result, he became the first person to have remote telesurgery in Gibraltar. On February 11, he underwent surgery to remove his prostate. Remarkably, he was actually 1,500 miles away from the surgical team at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). This new and innovative procedure is a result of an even more innovative trial that aims to revolutionize the world of surgical care.
Buxton runs an auto transport business and has lived in Gibraltar for 40 years. Then came the double whammy. Shortly after Christmas, he received the shocking diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. He shivered at the prospect of being placed on a warm NHS waiting list and traveling to London for treatment of his ailment. Desperately searching for a replacement, he dove into the market to find something else. Telesurgery remote-trial participant Buxton considers the opportunity a “no-brainer.” He’s hoping to be in on what he firmly believes will be “medical history.”
“I jumped at the chance to be the first patient,” Buxton remarked from his picturesque location, with a dramatic cliff face and sea scape behind him. He emphasized the importance of contributing to medical advancements, stating, “A lot of people actually said to me: ‘You’re not going to do it, are you?’ I thought, I’m giving something back here.”
Our amazing team at UCLH performed the procedure with the help of cutting-edge technology. It was an ingenious arrangement that allowed the surgical team to work remotely while ensuring Buxton’s safety and comfort. After his surgery, he said he felt “incredible” and commended the treatment he received.
“I was looked after extremely well,” Buxton said, as he described how this trial not only helped him but it can ensure that other patients like him who don’t have any options can get access to therapies in the future.
Professor Prokar Dasgupta, one of their world-renowned experts at the trial, said he was delighted. He is particularly passionate about using remote telesurgery to support humanitarian missions. “I think it is very, very exciting. The humanitarian benefit is going to be significant,” he stated.
Buxton’s case marks a significant milestone in medical technology, demonstrating how innovative solutions can provide timely care for patients who might otherwise face lengthy delays. Read about how he became the first of two test cases in this trial. That’s the hope anyway for another unnamed 52-year-old man, who is set to undergo a similar procedure on March 4.