US Surgeon Performs World’s First Remote Surgery Across 4,000 Miles

• In a groundbreaking advancement for medical science, surgeons have performed the world’s first transatlantic remote surgery , successfully linking Scotland and the United States using next-generation robotic and network technologies. The operation, which marks a historic step in stroke care and telemedicine , demonstrates how critical life-saving procedures can soon be performed across continents in real time.

A Medical and Technological Breakthrough

• The procedure involved a remote robotic thrombectomy —a minimally invasive surgery used to remove blood clots in stroke patients. It was conducted between the University of Dundee in Scotland and Jacksonville, Florida (US) . Professor Iris Grunwald , an interventional neuroradiologist at Dundee, remotely operated on a human cadaver 4,000 miles away, followed by Dr. Ricardo Hanel performing the reverse procedure from Florida. This dual experiment represents the first-ever transatlantic robotic operation in medical history.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Connectivity

• The operation used robotic systems designed by Lithuanian firm Sentante , powered by Nvidia’s AI computing technology and Ericsson’s high-speed network infrastructure . The connection achieved an astonishing 120-millisecond latency —virtually instantaneous across the Atlantic. Surgeons controlled the robot’s micro-movements, viewing live X-rays and navigating catheters with precision, while on-site staff handled the setup. Remarkably, operators required only 20 minutes of training to use the system effectively.

Transforming Global Stroke Care

• This innovation could revolutionise emergency stroke treatment , especially in remote or underserved regions. Experts estimate that every six-minute delay in clot removal reduces a patient’s chance of recovery by 1% , underscoring the life-saving potential of instant, remote surgical access.

Exam Pointers

• First transatlantic remote surgery: Scotland–US (4,000 miles).

• Surgeons: Prof. Iris Grunwald and Dr. Ricardo Hanel.

• Developed by: Sentante; supported by Nvidia and Ericsson.

• Latency: 120 milliseconds.

• Procedure: Robotic thrombectomy for stroke.

Future Outlook

The University of Dundee , a leading global training hub for stroke intervention, plans to launch clinical trials in 2026 . The success of this experiment signals the dawn of a new era in remote robotic healthcare , where world-class treatment could reach any patient, anywhere, in real time.