Overview
- A BMJ multicenter randomized trial in China reported telesurgery was non-inferior to local robotic surgery for radical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy.
- The system functioned reliably across 1,000 to 2,800 kilometers with round-trip latency of 20.1 to 47.5 milliseconds and low frame loss.
- Of 72 randomized patients, 32 underwent telesurgery and 31 had local surgery after nine withdrawals, and all participating surgeons had performed more than 500 robotic procedures.
- Secondary outcomes covering complications, early recovery, short-term oncologic results, and team workload were comparable, and one preoperative malfunction in the local group postponed surgery by three days.
- Authors and commentators noted limits including small sample size and a 12.5% withdrawal rate linked to trust concerns, calling for assessments of long-term outcomes, training, cost-effectiveness, and governance.