Transatlantic robot-assisted telesurgery

The introduction of robotic and computer technology into surgical operations allows dexterity to be increased and surgical procedures to be carried out from a distance (telesurgery). But until now, the distance feasible for remote telesurgery was considered to be limited to a few hundred miles by the time lag of existing telecommunication lines. Here we show that robot-assisted remote telesurgery can be safely carried out across transoceanic distances. The ability to perform complex surgical manipulations from remote locations will eliminate geographical constraints and make surgical expertise available throughout the world, improving patient treatment and surgical training.