Bengali-Origin Surgeon Professor Prokar Dasgupta Makes Medical History with UK's First Long-Distance Robotic Telesurgery

 

In a remarkable achievement that has captured international attention, renowned Bengali-origin British surgeon Professor Prokar Dasgupta has made medical history by successfully performing the United Kingdom's first long-distance robotic telesurgery. Operating from London, the distinguished urological surgeon remotely controlled a sophisticated surgical robot to remove the prostate gland of a cancer patient located approximately 2,400 kilometres away in Gibraltar.

The groundbreaking operation, performed on March 4, 2026, represents a significant milestone in modern medicine, demonstrating how advanced robotics, high-speed communication networks and surgical expertise can overcome geographical barriers and bring specialist healthcare to patients living far away from major medical centres. King's College London +2

The historic operation

Professor Dasgupta conducted the operation from The London Clinic in Harley Street, London, while the patient was at St Bernard's Hospital in Gibraltar. The procedure involved a prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate gland, which was affected by cancer.

The operation was carried out using the Toumai Robotic Surgical System, manufactured by China's MicroPort MedBot. The advanced equipment features four robotic arms and a high-definition 3D camera, allowing the surgeon to perform delicate surgical movements with exceptional precision.

From his operating console in London, Professor Dasgupta controlled the robot's movements in Gibraltar in real time. The two locations were connected through a secure, high-speed fibre-optic network, supported by a backup 5G connection. Remarkably, the communication delay was only around 0.06 seconds, or 60 milliseconds, allowing the surgeon to operate almost as if he were physically present in the operating theatre.

A fully equipped medical team remained at the Gibraltar hospital throughout the procedure, ready to take over immediately in the event of a technical failure or other emergency. The operation was completed successfully, with the communication system functioning throughout. ITV News +2

A breakthrough involving two patients

The March 4 operation was an important milestone in a series of pioneering procedures. An earlier remote prostate operation had been performed on February 11 on 62-year-old Paul Buxton, a British man living in Gibraltar who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Buxton volunteered to participate in the pioneering trial rather than travel to England for treatment and potentially face a lengthy NHS waiting period. He subsequently reported that he was recovering well and feeling fantastic just four days after the operation.

The March 4 procedure, involving a separate 52-year-old patient, was described by Professor Dasgupta as the first historic telesurgery procedure from The London Clinic to Gibraltar. Both operations demonstrated the potential of remote robotic surgery to deliver complex treatment across national borders. ITV News +2

 Who is Professor Prokar Dasgupta?

A distinguished surgeon and academic, Professor Dasgupta is a leading authority on robotic urological surgery. He is associated with King's College London and heads The London Clinic's Robotic Centre of Excellence.

With decades of experience in urology and robotic surgery, Professor Dasgupta has been at the forefront of surgical innovation. He has played an important role in advancing robotic-assisted procedures for prostate cancer and promoting the integration of technology into modern surgical practice.

His latest achievement underlines his commitment to expanding access to advanced medical treatment. Explaining the significance of the breakthrough, he highlighted how the technology could enable leading surgeons to treat patients in remote areas and smaller communities without requiring them to travel long distances.

He described the experience as almost identical to being physically present in the operating theatre, thanks to the extraordinarily small communication delay. King's College London +2

Transforming the future of healthcare

The significance of this achievement extends far beyond the successful removal of a cancerous prostate. Remote robotic telesurgery could fundamentally change the delivery of healthcare, particularly in geographically isolated regions where access to highly specialised surgeons is limited.

Patients living in smaller towns, remote islands and underserved communities could potentially receive treatment from internationally recognised surgeons without having to undertake expensive and exhausting journeys. It could also reduce the burden on major hospitals by allowing surgical expertise to be shared across geographical boundaries.

The technology could prove particularly valuable for countries with challenging geographical conditions, including India, where patients in rural and remote areas often have limited access to highly specialised medical facilities.

However, widespread adoption will require reliable high-speed connectivity, sophisticated robotic equipment, trained medical teams at the patient's location, robust emergency arrangements and stringent patient-safety protocols.

### A new chapter in surgical innovation

Professor Dasgupta's achievement is a powerful demonstration of how medicine and technology are increasingly working together to overcome traditional limitations. The successful operation across a distance of approximately 2,400 kilometres has opened up exciting possibilities for the future of robotic surgery.

For the medical fraternity, it is an extraordinary technological milestone. For patients, it offers the promise of greater access to world-class surgical expertise irrespective of where they live.

The achievement is also a matter of pride for the Bengali and Indian medical communities. Professor Prokar Dasgupta has demonstrated that the combination of surgical excellence, scientific innovation and technological advancement can push the boundaries of modern medicine.

The operating theatre of tomorrow may no longer be restricted by four walls or geographical boundaries. With telesurgery, the surgeon could be thousands of kilometres away, yet virtually present beside the patient.

Sources checked: King's College London, The London Clinic, BBC reporting, ITV News and The Guardian. King's College London +3