China's first 5G-streamed robot-assisted surgery conducted in Shanghai
The first robot assisted surgery broadcast through 5G was conducted in Renji Hospital on Thursday, allowing doctors throughout the Yangtze River Delta region to witness proceedings.
Doctors in other parts of the Renji medical network, student doctors studying in Renji and those working in Renji’s branch in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, were able to watch the whole da Vinci procedure performed by Dr Zhong Ming, deputy director of Renji’s gastrointestinal surgery department.
Da Vinci is surgical system which uses robotic technology to allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures.
Dr Zhong Ming from Renji Hospital operates the da Vinci system.
“We have tried 3D and VR in previous broadcasts. The previous limits of our digital technology, hardly met the requirements for medical education,” Zhong said. “5G allows students and interns to clearly see each step of the surgery in real time.”
Doctors from remote areas are perhaps the greatest beneficiaries. 5G allows them to see the most advanced technology in leading hospitals.
“Without the broadcast, I may never have had a chance to witness a da Vinci surgery in my entire life,” said Dr Yu Mengxi from Yunnan Province, who is in training at Renji Hospital.
Zhang Jidong, vice president of Renji Hospital, said surgery broadcasts are a very effective way to introduce doctors in rural areas to new medical technology, eventually benefiting more patients.
The da Vinci surgery system
