On July 13, 2024 a 5G long-distance lung cancer operation spanning 5,000 kilometers was successfully carried out in Kashi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo: Kashi local media

A groundbreaking remote robot-assisted lung cancer surgery spanning over 5,000 kilometers was successfully completed at the Second People's Hospital of Kashi in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in collaboration with the Shanghai Chest Hospital On Saturday.

This surgery marks a significant milestone in the advancement of domestic robotic thoracic surgery technology, breaking through spatial and geographical limitations and allowing more patients to benefit from China's "smart" advantages, according to Kashi local media.

The surgery was led by Professor Luo Qingquan, a renowned expert in robotic thoracic surgery from the Shanghai Chest Hospital, with a team of assistants led by Chen Tianxiang, vice president of Second People's Hospital of Kashi, who is also on staff at the Shanghai Chest Hospital to support Xinjiang. 

Utilizing the high-speed and low-latency characteristics of the 5G network, the expert team from the Shanghai Chest Hospital remotely controlled a domestic 5G remote surgical robot in Kashi, successfully removing a lung tumor from a local patient. 

This not only represents a significant leap in medical technology, but also a vivid practice of new medical productivity, as well as an important exploration in balancing the distribution of medical resources and improving the level of medical services in remote areas.

During the surgery, Professor Luo operated the robot from the surgical console at the Shanghai Chest Hospital, using a 3D display screen and a master controller to see real-time images of the patient's chest cavity and precisely manipulate the robot arm for the operation. The surgery itself lasted a full hour before being successfully concluded.

The successful implementation of the surgery is another major achievement in medical cooperation between Shanghai and Xinjiang, demonstrating the advanced and innovative nature of China's medical technology and bringing more convenient and efficient medical services to patients in remote areas.

Global Times