Belgium marks two medical firsts in Europe
Belgium can rightly be considered a pioneer in robot-assisted telesurgery. This is evidenced by the successful completion of urological and gynaecological procedures in a single day at the Orsy Academy innovation centre in Merelbeke-Melle and AZORG hospital in nearby Aalst.
Telesurgery with robotic assistance has been around for a quarter century. The first operation, however, went anything but smoothly. This technique has now been applied in Europe for the first time, right here in our country. Thanks partly to the newest fibre optic cables, the technique was a resounding success. It provides high-resolution images while maintaining ultra-low latency. Barely 20 milliseconds passed between the surgeon’s action in Merelbeke-Melle and its effect on the operating table in Aalst. In other words, unprecedented precision. To be on the safe side, a fellow surgeon was on standby in case anything went wrong, but during the three-hour surgery, intervention was not required.
The procedure results in less blood loss, milder postoperative pain, earlier discharge, and quicker recovery for the patient. Operations can be conducted by surgeons in non-sterile environments wearing normal clothes, making it possible to provide care worldwide, including in war zones or areas short of surgeons, without requiring lengthy travel to training centres.
Prostate and uterine removal signify a groundbreaking milestone in the medical field.