A robot heart surgery spanning thousands of kilometers
China has successfully performed the world's first 5G remote robot heart surgery. The procedure was led by the chief cardiac surgeon at DeDa Hospital in Shanghai, while the patient was located in Urumqi, Xinjiang — thousands of kilometers away.
5G ultra-low latency enables precise operation
The surgery relied on the ultra-low latency of 5G networks (below 10 milliseconds), allowing the surgical robot to precisely execute every command of the lead surgeon — precision surgery "across thousands of kilometers, within millimeters." The operation lasted about three hours, went smoothly, and the patient recovered well after surgery.
Deep significance for patients in remote areas
This breakthrough is deeply significant for patients in remote areas. Previously, complex heart surgery often required transferring patients to large urban medical centers, at high cost and risk. The maturity of remote robot surgery means patients may no longer need to travel long distances to receive surgery from Shanghai's top specialists.
Implications for international patients
For international patients in areas close to China, such as the Russian Far East, this technology opens new possibilities — cross-border remote medical collaboration to receive diagnosis and treatment from Shanghai's leading cardiovascular experts. MedBridge will continue to track advances in telemedicine and offer international patients multiple options, from remote consultation and pre-operative evaluation to treatment in Shanghai. To learn more about remote consultation or treatment arrangements for heart disease, consult us online.