Telesurgery in prostate cancer: a systematic review of clinical applications and future directions.
Boran Aksakal, Nicolas A Soputro, Abdulrahman Al-Bayati et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed clinical studies of telesurgery for clinically significant, localized prostate cancer, using a narrative synthesis of literature published from 2001 through June 2025. Six studies described successful procedures in 7 patients: six robot-assisted radical prostatectomies and one focal high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment. Procedures were completed across distances of 1 to 11,412 km, with reported round-trip latency of 6 ms to 464 ms. No technical failures or clinically meaningful delays perceived by surgeons were reported. The findings support feasibility in these reported cases, while the small evidence base leaves broader safety and effectiveness uncertain.
Key findings
- Six studies reported successful telesurgical procedures in 7 patients: six robot-assisted radical prostatectomies and one focal HIFU treatment.
- Procedures were completed over distances ranging from 1 to 11,412 km.
- Reported round-trip latency ranged from 6 ms to 464 ms, with no technical failures or clinically meaningful surgeon-perceived delays.
Why it matters
Telesurgery may offer a way to extend access to specialized prostate cancer procedures across geographic barriers and support surgical education. These reports show that remote robotic procedures have been completed under a range of network conditions, but they do not establish comparative outcomes or routine-care effectiveness. Cost, regulation, and standardization remain relevant considerations for wider implementation.
What to keep in mind
The review identified only six studies involving 7 patients, limiting the evidence available to assess safety and outcomes beyond reported procedural feasibility.