In a groundbreaking achievement for telemedicine, a surgeon in Rome successfully performed a live remote robotic surgery on a patient located more than 8,000 kilometers away in Beijing, China. The procedure was led by Professor Zhang Xu, director of urology at the Third Medical Center of the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, and relied on a high-tech surgical console paired with real-time connectivity.

Using advanced robotic arms in Beijing controlled directly from Rome, the surgeon performed delicate procedures such as removing prostate tissue with precision and safety, despite the vast geographical separation. The operation was made possible through the integration of ultra-fast 5G networks and high-speed fiber-optic connections, ensuring minimal latency and accurate control of the robotic instruments.

Medical experts describe the success as a historic milestone, demonstrating that geographical distance no longer limits access to world-class surgical expertise. The procedure opens new possibilities for global healthcare, enabling patients in remote or underserved locations to benefit from specialized medical skills without needing to travel internationally.

This achievement also underscores the growing role of robotics and telecommunication technologies in healthcare, promising a future where intercontinental telesurgeries may become routine, reducing risks, improving outcomes, and expanding access to top-tier medical care worldwide.