RESUMO
Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of long-distance urological nephrotomy with the support of 5G communication technology by using the domestic robot.Methods:Clinical data of the patients with remote robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, which were completed from March to April 2021 by the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (as the host hospital where the main operating system located) were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 patients, including 2 males and 1 female.The average age was 61 (49-73) years, and the average body mass index was 23.73 (20.00-27.76) kg/m 2. One patient had a ASA classification of grade 2, and the other 2 patients had grade 3. All patients met the surgical criteria for non-functional nephrectomy. The chief surgeon who performing the telesurgery was located at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The surgeon remotely controlled the bedside operating system (slave system) in 3 local hospitals located in other cities in Shandong Province (network communication distances of 82.5, 141 and 229 km, respectively) by manipulating the master system located in Qingdao. Images and operating instructions during surgery were transmitted using 5G wireless communication technology. Intraoperative network conditions, robot operation, and patient perioperative data were summarized. Results:All 3 tele-nephrectomies were successfully completed. The average network signal latency time was 27.3 (23-30) ms, with no packet loss, and the average total latency time was 177.3(173-180) ms. The mean resection time was 79.3 (52-111) min, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 31.1 (15.6-41.9) ml. There were no network related adverse events occurred during the operation, and the robot-related adverse events occured 3 times, all three of which were characterized by inconsistent master and slave movements of the manipulator arm and the bedside robotic arm. None of these adverse events affected the successful performance of the telesurgery. The mean postoperative exhaust time was 60.5 (38.5-78.0) h. The mean postoperative VAS score at 24 hours was 3.7 (3-4). The Clavien-Dindo classification were all grade I. No significant abnormality was found on the 30th day after surgery, and the patients recovered well at the follow-up until 6 months postoperatively.Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to perform remote robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy based on 5G communication technology with no serious adverse events or surgical complications.However, the conclusion needs to be further verified by large sample and multi-center prospective study.