China surgeon removes patient's lung tumour from 5,000 km away. Watch

The video of the operation has gone viral online. (Representational Image)

In a significant medical development, a facility in China has successfully conducted an operation where the surgeon was located 5,000 kilometres away from the patient.

Utilising advanced technology and extensive research, a team of doctors enabled a colleague to remotely operate a machine from Shanghai to remove a lung tumour from a patient in Kashgar. The procedure, which lasted an hour, was recorded and shared on social media, quickly gaining widespread attention.

Naresh Nambisan, an X user, shared the video stating, "A surgeon in China successfully removed a lung tumor from a patient while being 5000 km away. The doctor operated the machine remotely from his office in Shanghai, while the patient was in Kashgar, located on the opposite side of the country. The entire operation was completed in an hour."

A surgeon in China successfully removed a lung tumor from a patient while being 5000 km away. The doctor operated the machine remotely from his office in Shanghai, while the patient was in Kashgar, located on the opposite side of the country. The entire operation was completed in… pic.twitter.com/8VQrpnvtS0

— Naresh Nambisan | നരേഷ് (@nareshbahrain) August 2, 2024

The video of the operation has garnered over 700,000 views with many users expressing their amazement and admiration for the technological and medical breakthrough.

One user commented, "Remote Robotic minimal access surgery is the future trend. And it is already here. Medical science has progressed so much, yet we do not know many things in the human body. That is how medical science gradually progresses."

Another added, "Performing this kind of remote robotic surgery is a 'medical miracle'. Robotic surgery with the surgeon around is being done well now."

"Engineering is beautiful," a third user remarked.

The Shanghai municipality's information office released a statement confirming that doctors from Shanghai Chest Hospital achieved this medical milestone after "detailed clinical research" and collaboration with "domestically-made surgical robots." Dr Luo Qingquan, the surgeon who led the operation, was assisted by a few colleagues during the procedure.

"The success of this surgery is a milestone to show the clinical capability of a domestically-made surgical robot, which can bring more benefit to patients, especially those in remote and rural regions," said Dr Luo.