Advances in robotic-assisted surgery, digital healthcare and communication technologies are supporting the development of telesurgery, in which a surgeon controls a robotic surgical system from a different location.
One developing application is telesurgery, or remote surgery, in which a surgeon controls a robotic surgical system from a different location. High-speed communication infrastructure, including 5G and fibre-based networks, can support the transmission of surgical video, control signals and other data between the surgeon and the remote robotic system.
The same connectivity can also support broader applications such as remote consultation, procedure observation and surgical education. However, telesurgery depends on more than connectivity alone and also requires reliable robotic systems, appropriate clinical workflows, local surgical support, cybersecurity and regulatory frameworks.
What Is Telesurgery?
Telesurgery refers to the use of robotic and communication technologies that allow a surgeon to control surgical instruments from a location separate from the patient.
In conventional robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon and patient are typically in the same operating environment. In telesurgery, a communications network connects the surgeon’s control interface with the robotic system at the patient site.
This means that surgical video, instrument commands and other information need to be transmitted between the two locations in real time. Network performance and reliability are therefore important technical considerations when remote robotic control is used.
Robotic Surgery and Remote Operation
Robotic-assisted surgery has developed over several decades, with systems incorporating features designed to address some of the technical limitations of conventional minimally invasive surgery.
Depending on the platform, robotic systems may incorporate three-dimensional visualisation, articulated instruments, motion scaling and tremor filtration, while surgical movements remain under the surgeon’s control.
Robotic-assisted surgery is used across a number of specialties, including urology, gynaecology, colorectal surgery, thoracic surgery and bariatric surgery.
Remote robotic surgery is also not a new concept. In 2001, the Lindbergh Operation provided an early demonstration of long-distance telesurgery between New York and Strasbourg.
Since then, developments in robotic systems, communication networks and digital infrastructure have enabled further investigation of remote surgery across different geographic distances. Telesurgery nevertheless remains an evolving area rather than a routine extension of robotic-assisted surgery.
How Connectivity Supports Surgical Collaboration and Education
Connectivity in surgery has applications beyond remote robotic control.
High-speed communication networks can allow surgical video, imaging and other clinical information to be shared between locations. This can support remote consultation, procedure observation and communication between surgical teams and clinical experts.
Connected technologies can also support surgical education. Live surgical video and communication can allow healthcare professionals in different locations to observe procedures, follow clinical discussions and participate in educational sessions without being physically present in the operating room.
Studies have examined the use of connected technologies, including 5G-enabled systems, for remote surgical teaching and education. Small studies and feasibility evaluations have shown that surgical video and communication can be transmitted between locations for these purposes.
The way these technologies are implemented depends on factors including network infrastructure, system design, clinical workflows and appropriate governance. Read More
How Connectivity Supports Telesurgery
Telesurgery places particular demands on communications infrastructure because information must move continuously between the surgeon’s control interface and the robotic system at the patient site.
High-speed networks, including 5G and fibre-based infrastructure, can form part of the communications systems used to support this exchange of data. Network performance depends not only on transmission speed but also on factors such as reliability, stability and the design of the overall communications and robotic system.
Early clinical studies have reported the technical feasibility of remote robotic surgery using high-speed communication networks in selected settings.
These studies show that telesurgery can be performed using current robotic and communications technologies under defined conditions. However, the available clinical experience remains more limited than that of conventional on-site robotic-assisted surgery, and wider implementation involves considerations beyond the communications network itself.
At the 46th Chilean Society of Urology Congress, Reach Surgical’s OMNIBOT demonstrated how connectivity is expanding possibilities for a safer, smarter and more connected surgery. Read more
What Is Needed for Telesurgery Beyond Connectivity?
High-speed connectivity is an important component of telesurgery, but it is only one part of the overall system required for remote surgical care.
Remote surgical programmes also need to consider:
- network reliability and redundancy
- cybersecurity and data protection
- robotic system reliability
- local surgical and clinical support
- procedures for responding to technical or communication interruptions
- appropriate clinical workflows and training
- regulatory, licensing and governance requirements
These considerations may become more complex when remote surgery takes place across regions or national borders, where requirements relating to medical practice, professional responsibility, data governance and healthcare regulation may differ.
The presence of a local surgical team also remains important. Remote robotic control does not remove the need for clinicians at the patient site who can provide perioperative care and respond if the remote system or communications network cannot be used as intended.
Conclusion
Telesurgery relies on connectivity to transmit surgical video, control signals and other data between a remote surgeon and the robotic system at the patient site.
Developments in 5G, fibre networks and other communication infrastructure have supported continued investigation of remote robotic surgery, with early clinical studies reporting technical feasibility in selected settings.
However, connectivity is only one part of telesurgery. Robotic system performance, network reliability, cybersecurity, local clinical support, clinical protocols and regulatory requirements also need to be considered.
As these technologies and supporting frameworks continue to develop, telesurgery remains an evolving application of robotic-assisted surgery.