In a European medical first, Gibraltar-born cancer patient Paul Buxton, 62, became the first person to have a robotic operation with it. Amazingly, this complicated procedure was performed from more than 1,500 miles away. On February 11, that surgery was not only performed, but as part of a revolutionary new clinical trial in limb-salvage medicine. This creative pathbreaking operation employed the Toumai Robotic System. This recent milestone in telesurgery underscores the ability for remote, hands-on operations to transform the standard of care for patients.
Buxton, an artist from Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, was devastated when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer just after Christmas. When confronted by the possibility of going on the NHS waiting list for treatment, initially, this made him nervous. When given the chance to join the trial, he didn’t think twice.
I thought: ‘This is a no-brainer.’ Buxton’s comments, made earlier this year, highlight the dire straits in which he finds himself. He was just as excited to create new medical history. He “leapt at the opportunity” to be the first patient to have this groundbreaking procedure done remotely.
The pioneering operation was conducted by Professor Prokar Dasgupta, who controlled the robotic system during the operation from a console based in the UK. We made the long-distance connection over fibre-optic cables. To ensure high reliability real-time communication between the surgeon and the robot in Gibraltar, we included a backup 5G connection. This technological arrangement made it possible for Buxton to access expert level care without having to travel far distances.
If I hadn’t opted for the telesurgery offered in Gibraltar, then I would have had to flown to London, Buxton explained. “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.”
Writing right after the surgery, Buxton said he was pleased with the treatment he received. He admitted to being “extremely well catered for.” He was feeling “fantastic” and that was the best testament as to just how successful the remote surgery had been.
Professor Dasgupta shared his enthusiasm regarding the trial’s implications, stating, “I think it is very, very exciting. The humanitarian benefit is going to be significant.” This action might pave the way for more such processes in the future. It has the potential to fundamentally change how we provide medical care at a distance.