In a world-first for Greece, a robotic prostatectomy for prostate cancer was successfully performed remotely—across a distance of 8,000 kilometres—from Wuhan, China, to Athens. Professor Evangelos Liatsikos, Head of the Urology Department at the University Hospital of Patras and Professor of Medicine, led the pioneering procedure while physically located in Wuhan.
Real-Time Precision Without Delay
The success hinged on ultra-high-speed fibre-optic connectivity, enabling instantaneous data transmission with zero latency—making tele-surgery not just feasible, but clinically reliable. The operation was a robotic radical prostatectomy, removing the prostate gland due to cancer.
‘You sit normally at the console and operate on a patient thousands of kilometres away,’ said Prof. Liatsikos. ‘What’s astonishing is there was absolutely no delay—none at all. It felt exactly as if I were standing right beside the patient. That’s truly extraordinary.’
How It Worked: A Seamless Global Network
The real-time transfer of surgical commands relied on dedicated, high-bandwidth network lines—not satellite links, which are now considered too slow. Chinese engineers established a high-speed connection between Wuhan and Frankfurt; Greek medical and IT teams then extended that link from Frankfurt to Athens.
‘Satellite used to seem like the ultimate solution—but today, it falls short. We now use fibre-optic infrastructure exclusively. The robotics and surgical platforms existed before, but only now can they be fully supported by this speed and reliability to deliver flawless outcomes,’ explained Prof. Liatsikos.
From Diagnosis to Therapy—and Beyond
Until recently, telemedicine was largely diagnostic—transmitting ECGs or imaging scans. This case marks a decisive shift into therapeutic telemedicine. The original vision behind robotic surgical systems—developed years ago in the U.S.—was battlefield surgery: allowing surgeons stationed safely at central hospitals to operate remotely on wounded soldiers in combat zones. Technical limitations previously prevented implementation. Now, that vision is becoming reality.
The patient, fully informed and confident in the process, experienced no anxiety. According to Prof. Liatsikos, such procedures will become increasingly common. ‘This isn’t science fiction anymore—it’s an accelerating reality that dissolves geographical borders. In the near future, expert surgeons won’t just treat patients remotely; they’ll train colleagues across continents in real time, and bring life-saving care to remote or underserved regions.’