Florida Doctor Performs Remote Surgery on African Cancer Patient

A Florida-based doctor has successfully performed remote surgery on a cancer patient located thousands of miles away in Africa. Dr. Vipul Patel, the medical director of the Global Robotic Institute at Orlando's Advent Health, conducted a prostatectomy on Fernando da Silva of Angola.

Da Silva, a 67-year-old diagnosed with prostate cancer in March, underwent the procedure in June. The surgery, which involved the removal of part or all of the prostate, was deemed a success. Prostate cancer is a significant health concern in Africa, where access to monitoring and treatment has historically been limited.

The development of this technology has been a two-year endeavor. The team explored various technologies globally to find the right fit. Da Silva's surgery marked the first patient in a clinical trial approved by the Food and Drug Administration to test this innovative approach.

While surgeons have previously utilized advanced robotic systems for operations, they typically remain in close proximity to their patients. Dr. Patel, however, utilized fiber optic cables to perform the surgery from a considerable distance. He reported no noticeable delay in his control of the robot.

A surgical team was present in the operating room with Da Silva as a backup. This team was prepared to intervene and complete the surgery safely if any issues arose with the telecommunications.

Dr. Patel described the surgery as a significant advancement in healthcare, highlighting its vast humanitarian potential. He emphasized the benefits for underserved regions worldwide, including rural communities within the United States. The technology could also provide remote access to surgeons for emergency room physicians and potentially even in ambulances. Dr. Patel plans to submit the data from the surgery to the FDA, with the aim of expanding the use of telesurgery in the future.