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

In a historic medical breakthrough, doctors have performed the world’s first transatlantic remote surgery, linking Scotland and the United States through advanced robotic technology. The pioneering procedure marks a new era in stroke care and remote medicine, offering hope for faster, life-saving treatment regardless of distance.

Breakthrough in Robotic Stroke Procedure

The landmark operation was carried out between the University of Dundee in Scotland and Jacksonville, Florida. Professor Iris Grunwald, an interventional neuroradiologist at Dundee, conducted a remote thrombectomy—a procedure used to remove blood clots after a stroke—on a human cadaver from 4,000 miles away. Hours later, Dr. Ricardo Hanel performed a corresponding operation from Florida on a body in Dundee, achieving the first-ever transatlantic robotic surgery.

Technology Behind the Innovation

The operations used robotic systems developed by Lithuanian firm Sentante, supported by Nvidia and Ericsson’s high-speed network technology. The procedure demonstrated that a robot connected to standard catheters and wires can be manipulated remotely with near-zero delay. Surgeons could view live X-rays and guide instruments in real time, while a local medic handled only the initial setup. Remarkably, it required just 20 minutes of training to operate the system effectively.

Global Implications for Stroke Treatment

The experiment showcases how robotic surgery can address critical issues in stroke care, such as limited specialist availability and unequal access in remote areas. Stroke experts emphasised that time is vital—every six-minute delay reduces a patient’s recovery chances by one per cent. The ability to perform complex procedures remotely could save thousands of lives by connecting patients to top specialists instantly, regardless of geography.

Exam Oriented Facts

• First transatlantic robotic stroke surgery conducted between Scotland and the US.
• Professor Iris Grunwald and Dr. Ricardo Hanel led the operations.
• Powered by Sentante robotics with Nvidia and Ericsson connectivity.
• Procedure demonstrated 120 millisecond lag over 4,000 miles.

Future of Remote and Robotic Medicine

The University of Dundee, the global training hub for interventional stroke treatment, hosted the experiment as part of ongoing research into tele-robotic healthcare. Clinical trials are planned for 2026, aiming to make remote thrombectomy available worldwide. Experts believe the technology could soon enable a patient in any remote region to receive expert treatment in minutes—an advancement set to transform emergency medicine forever.