Revolutionary Remote Robotic Surgery Conducted in Angola by U.S. Surgeon
An Angola patient underwent the world's first long-distance robotic prostatectomy conducted remotely by a U.S. surgeon, representing a major advancement in global surgical accessibility.
In a groundbreaking medical milestone, a cancer patient in Angola successfully underwent the first-ever robotic surgery on the African continent performed remotely by a specialist in the United States. The procedure, a prostatectomy involving the removal of the prostate gland, was carried out on June 14 by Dr. Vipul Patel, a renowned surgical expert and medical director at the Global Robotics Institute at AdventHealth in Florida. This historic operation was notable not only for its technical achievement but also for its distance—nearly 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers)—making it the longest distance telesurgery ever conducted.
The Complexo Hospitalar Cardeal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento (CHDC) in Luanda, Angola's capital, hosted the multidisciplinary team including surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and engineers who supported the operation. The hospital confirmed that the surgery was a success, and the patient, Fernando da Silva, aged 67, was able to return home for recovery just three days post-operation.
Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men in sub-Saharan Africa. The limited access to early detection and advanced surgical treatment in many African countries heightens the importance of such technological innovations. This remote surgery exemplifies a significant leap forward in global health equity, demonstrating the potential to deliver high-quality surgical care to remote, rural, and underserved communities.
Dr. Patel emphasized that this innovative procedure goes beyond technological achievement—it is a humanitarian breakthrough. It paves the way for improved healthcare delivery across continents and bridges the gap in access to complex surgical interventions, offering hope to populations historically lacking such resources.
This milestone marks a pivotal development in medical science, highlighting how telemedicine and robotic surgery can transform healthcare accessibility worldwide.
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