An Orlando, Fla.-based Advent Health surgeon has performed a prostatectomy via transcontinental robotic telesurgery — the first of an FDA-approved clinical trial to test the technology, according to a June 17 ABC News report.
The patient lives in the nation of Angola and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March, the report said.
The procedure was performed by Vipul Patel, MD, medical director of the Global Robotic Institute at Advent Health. While Dr. Patel performed the surgery in Florida, his surgical team was in place in Angola should any complications arise.
“I think the humanitarian implications are enormous,” Dr. Patel told ABC News, saying the technology could pave the way for underserved areas to have access to lifesaving surgical care.
Read the full report here.
