World’s first intercontinental robotic prostate surgery connects Rome to Beijing

In a medical breakthrough, a Chinese surgical team has completed the world’s first intercontinental robotic prostatectomy, successfully connecting a surgeon in Rome with a patient undergoing surgery in Beijing.

The operation, hailed as a major leap forward for telesurgery, showcased how advanced technology can eliminate geographical barriers in delivering highly specialized medical care.

Dr. Zhang Xu, head of urology at the PLA General Hospital in Beijing, led the procedure entirely from Italy, remotely controlling robotic surgical instruments located more than 8,000 kilometers away in China.

Using a cutting-edge robotic system and powered by ultra-fast 5G and high-speed fiber-optic networks, the surgery was executed with real-time precision.

The low-latency digital connection was essential to ensure accurate, responsive control — a technical challenge that was once considered a major hurdle to remote surgery.

A standby surgical team was present in Beijing to assist in case of emergencies, but the entire procedure was directed by Zhang from Europe, marking an unprecedented demonstration of international surgical collaboration.

This landmark operation signals a promising future for telemedicine, especially for rural and underserved regions. It illustrates a world in which expert surgeons can operate from thousands of miles away, bringing top-tier care to places that lack access to advanced medical facilities.