5G ultra-remote robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in China

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Surgical Robotics
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Effectiveness, safety, and stability of 5G in remote laparoscopic telesurgery remain unestablished.
• 5G technology is increasingly applied in telemedicine, necessitating evaluation for specialized surgical applications.
• Previous studies have not confirmed 5G's viability for complex remote surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and stability of 5G networks in ultra-remote laparoscopic telesurgery.
• To assess the feasibility of using domestic robotic systems for remote telesurgery.
• To evaluate network performance metrics during remote surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• Four ultra-remote laparoscopic surgeries (nephrectomy, hepatectomy, cholecystectomy, cystectomy) were performed on a swine model.
• Procedures utilized a 5G wireless network and a domestically produced "MicroHand" surgical robot.
• Key metrics recorded included network delay, operative time, blood loss, and complications.

Main Results:

• All four laparoscopic telesurgeries were completed safely via the 5G network.
• Average network delay was 264 ms with a 1.20% data packet loss ratio.
• No intraoperative complications occurred; total operation time was 2 hours with 25 ml blood loss.

Conclusions:

• Ultra-remote laparoscopic surgery is safe and effective using 5G and domestic robotic equipment.
• This model demonstrates the potential of 5G for advancing telesurgery, especially in areas with limited internet connectivity.
• The findings support the future development and implementation of remote surgical solutions.