An Indian-origin British surgeon has successfully carried out the United Kingdom’s first long-distance robotic surgery, operating on a patient located more than 2,400 kilometres away.
Professor Prokar Dasgupta, a London-based urological surgeon, led the landmark procedure by operating on a patient in Gibraltar while seated at a surgical console at The London Clinic in the UK. The patient was in an operating theatre at St Bernard’s Hospital in Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory.
The operation involved the removal of the prostate of a 62-year-old cancer patient, Paul Buxton, using a robotic surgical system connected through high-speed communication networks.
The robotic system used during the surgery had four mechanical arms and a 3D high-definition camera. Professor Dasgupta controlled the robot remotely while viewing the surgical field on a screen in London. The system had a delay of only about 60 milliseconds between the surgeon’s hand movements and the robot’s response, allowing the procedure to be performed with high precision.
Medical experts described the surgery as a major milestone in the field of remote healthcare. Dasgupta said the technology could significantly improve access to specialised treatment for patients living far from major medical centres.
He noted that remote robotic surgery could benefit patients in smaller communities or remote regions who might otherwise have to travel long distances for complex procedures.
Although the surgeon controlled the operation from London, medical staff were present in the operating theatre in Gibraltar and were prepared to intervene if necessary. The connection between the two locations relied on fibre-optic networks supported by a backup 5G system to ensure stable communication throughout the procedure.
The patient, Paul Buxton, reported feeling “fantastic” just four days after the surgery. He had previously expected to travel to the UK and wait several weeks for treatment, but the remote procedure allowed him to receive care locally in Gibraltar.
Professor Dasgupta is widely recognised as a pioneer in robotic urological surgery. He heads the Robotic Centre of Excellence at The London Clinic and specialises in procedures involving the prostate and urinary tract.
Robotic surgery has become increasingly common in the UK, particularly for treating prostate cancer, as it allows surgeons to perform operations with smaller incisions and greater precision, often resulting in faster recovery and fewer complications.
The successful operation is being seen as a significant step forward for telesurgery, a field where surgeons perform procedures on patients located far away using robotic systems. Experts believe such technology could eventually enable specialised medical care to reach remote regions, conflict zones and areas where experienced surgeons are not available.
Professor Dasgupta was born in Rourkela, Odisha, and spent part of his childhood in Lucknow. He completed his medical degree from Medical College, Calcutta, in 1989 before moving to the UK for advanced training. Over the years, he has become one of Britain’s leading surgeons and has been honoured with India’s Padma Shri for his contributions to medicine.
