Florida Doctor Performs Remote Robotic Surgery on Patient in Africa
A groundbreaking medical feat was recently achieved by Dr. Vipul Patel, the medical director at the Global Robotic Institute at Advent Health in Orlando, Florida. Using advanced robotic technology, Dr. Patel successfully performed prostate surgery on a cancer patient thousands of miles away in Angola, Africa.
The patient, 67-year-old Fernando da Silva, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March. In June, Dr. Patel remotely operated the robot to remove the cancerous tissue, marking a significant milestone in transcontinental telesurgery. This procedure was part of a human clinical trial approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test the innovative technology.
Prostate cancer remains a major health concern in Africa, where monitoring and treatment options have historically been limited. Dr. Patel emphasized the importance of this advancement, noting that the surgery was years in the making. “We’ve been working on this for two years, exploring the best technologies worldwide,” he explained.
While robotic surgeries have been performed before, surgeons typically operate the machines near their patients. What sets this case apart is the use of fiber optic cables that allowed Dr. Patel to control the robot from afar with no perceptible delay, ensuring precision and safety.
To guarantee the patient’s well-being, a surgical team was physically present in the operating room in Angola, ready to intervene if necessary. “We had plans A, B, C, and D. My team was on-site to take over if needed,” Dr. Patel said.
Reflecting on the achievement, Dr. Patel described it as a small step for a surgeon but a giant leap for healthcare. He highlighted the vast humanitarian potential, especially for underserved regions globally and rural communities within the U.S.
Looking ahead, Dr. Patel envisions emergency room physicians and even ambulance crews accessing remote surgical expertise, potentially saving lives when immediate hospital care isn’t available.
Data from this successful surgery will be submitted to the FDA, with hopes of expanding telesurgery options in the near future.