A French doctor successfully performed a remote prostate cancer surgery on a patient located in Morocco from Shanghai –12,000km away.
The operation used the Chinese-engineered Toumai Robot, a state-of-the-art surgical system enabling real-time imaging and ultra-precise machine control across vast distances.
This extraordinary procedure established a new milestone for remote surgeries, with data transmission covering an intercontinental round trip exceeding 30,000km – a record for the longest-distance remote human surgery.
The accomplishment follows another significant operation in October, where the Toumai Robot enabled minimally invasive renal cyst surgery between Shanghai and Benin, spanning a 27,000-kilometer transmission distance.
The prostate cancer surgery, performed in November, was led by French surgeon Youness Ahallal and lasted under two hours.
Despite the vast geographic separation, the system operated remarkably efficiently, achieving a one-way latency of just over 100 milliseconds.
Ahallal, stationed at a console in Shanghai, transmitted commands that the robot’s arm in Morocco executed with meticulous accuracy – removing the prostate tumour, completing the sutures and preserving critical tissues, such as the vascular-nerve bundle and maximum urethral length.
Unlike prior remote surgeries relying on advanced 5G infrastructure, this operation was facilitated over a standard broadband connection.
The real-time video feed remained seamless and high-definition, allowing the surgeon to navigate complex procedures with unparalleled precision and stability.
Ahallal emphasised that such technological flexibility is vital for conducting high-risk, intricate operations.
The success of this intercontinental surgery highlights the transformative potential of robotic systems in modern medicine.
Remote surgical technology can bridge geographic barriers, granting patients access to elite surgeons without requiring international travel. It also paves the way for experienced doctors to mentor and guide less-experienced surgeons remotely during challenging procedures.
He Chao, President of MicroPort MedBot, the developer of Toumai Robot, expressed confidence that such advancements will revolutionise healthcare delivery.
He said: ‘We aim to make remote surgery a standard practice in medical services worldwide.’
The growing demand for robotic-assisted surgery has positioned China at the forefront of this medical revolution.
According to recent industry analyses, the market size for China’s surgical robotics sector is forecasted to reach $38.4 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate far surpassing the global average.
Accelerated by the rapid deployment of 5G networks, the technology promises to make remote surgery more feasible and widely accessible.
China’s extensive 5G infrastructure – boasting over four million base stations as of August, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology – has significantly bolstered the development of surgical robotics.
To date, the Toumai Robot has completed over 250 ultra-long-distance 5G surgeries with a flawless success rate, covering a combined transmission distance exceeding 400,000km.
Certified with EU CE approval since May, the Toumai Robot is now authorised for various surgical applications, including urology, thoracic surgery, gynaecological endoscopy, and general surgery.
This certification signals the system’s readiness to support diverse, complex procedures worldwide, ensuring top-quality patient care regardless of location.
Photo caption - Photo: X/PDChina
