Surgeon performs first US telerobotic prostatectomy 35 miles away

Key facts

• A telerobotic prostatectomy was performed between two US hospitals.
• The surgery involved a surgeon operating from 35 miles away from the patient.
• The procedure was part of a clinical study under an FDA investigational device exemption.
• The patient, Mark, is recovering well after the surgery.

A Florida surgeon has successfully performed the first telerobotic surgery between two US hospitals, remotely removing a prostate from 35 miles away. Dr. Vipul Patel operated on a 66-year-old prostate cancer patient, identified as Mark, from a different AdventHealth facility. The procedure, part of a clinical study under an FDA investigational device exemption, aims to evaluate if telesurgery can reduce geographic barriers to specialized care. Mark is reportedly recovering well, and the surgery marks an expansion of the study into US facilities after previous operations between Florida and Angola.