Mumbai: Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, has created medical history by successfully performing India’s first cross-border Remote Robotic Surgery, with patients located in Mumbai and the operating surgeon positioned in Shanghai, spanning a distance of over 5,000 kilometres.
The milestone procedures were performed by Dr T B Yuvaraja, Director (Group), Uro-Oncology and Robotic Surgery, using a US FDA Study Approved telesurgery system, marking a major advancement in India’s remote surgical capabilities.
This landmark achievement represents the first clinical cross-border application in India of the Toumai Remote Robotic Surgery System following approval by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The surgeries underline India’s growing capabilities in advanced digital healthcare and demonstrate the feasibility of delivering complex surgical care beyond geographical boundaries.
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Remote Robotic Surgery Enables Complex Urological Procedures Across Continents
The historic Remote Robotic Surgery procedures included a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and a robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, both conducted on patients in Mumbai.
Dr Yuvaraja operated remotely from Shanghai, demonstrating precise surgical control, accuracy, and patient safety despite the vast physical distance between surgeon and patient.
The procedures were carried out using the Toumai system, currently the only robotic surgical platform that is US FDA Study Approved for telesurgery.
The system enabled real-time control, allowing complex urological surgeries to be performed with the same level of precision and reliability as conventional on-site robotic surgery.
Ultra-Low Latency Ensures Safety in Remote Robotic Surgery
The success of the cross-border Remote Robotic Surgery was supported by high-speed and stable data transmission integrated with multiple safety-assurance technologies.
The system delivered ultra-low bidirectional latency of just 132 milliseconds, ensuring seamless instrument movement, precise dissection, and uninterrupted surgical execution throughout the procedures.
This ultra-low latency allowed the surgeon to experience smooth, stable, and responsive control, ensuring uncompromised patient safety and clinical outcomes despite operating from another country.
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Expertise and Innovation Drive India’s First Cross-Border Remote Robotic Surgery
Dr T B Yuvaraja, who has performed over 4,100 robotic procedures, highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating that remote robotic surgery has the potential to transform access to high-quality surgical care.
The successful completion of these procedures across two large nations reinforces the hospital’s commitment to innovation, safety, and clinical excellence, while opening new pathways for delivering world-class surgical care across India and globally.
The Toumai system performed consistently throughout the surgeries, allowing the surgeon to operate with the same confidence and accuracy as in-person robotic procedures.
The achievement demonstrates that remote robotic surgery is not only feasible but also safe and clinically effective.
Remote Robotic Surgery Redefines the Future of Surgical Care in India
With this national first, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has set a new benchmark in Remote Robotic Surgery, redefining surgical care delivery across vast distances.
The success of these intercontinental procedures validates the potential of telesurgery and provides critical clinical experience for the future development of remote healthcare systems in India and beyond.
Dr Santosh Shetty, CEO & Executive Director, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said the achievement reflects the hospital’s leadership in adopting advanced medical technologies and shaping the future of surgical care.
He noted that the integration of robotics with secure digital infrastructure enables specialist surgical expertise to be delivered across continents without compromising outcomes.
Collaborative Effort Behind India’s First Cross-Border Remote Robotic Surgery
The successful execution of these procedures was made possible through close collaboration among multidisciplinary clinical teams, full-time specialists at Kokilaben Hospital, hospital staff, technology partners, and engineering teams in both Mumbai and Shanghai.
Their coordinated efforts ensured uninterrupted connectivity, rigorous safety protocols, and flawless clinical execution, setting a strong foundation for the future of remote and smart surgery.
