Riyadh is the site of the new Saudi remote robotic surgery program launched by the King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) in partnership with the Seha Virtual Hospital.
According to SPA, the first phase of the program involved seven interventions conducted over three days. These operations were performed on patients in the operating rooms of King Khalid University Hospital, while the university surgical team operated remotely from the Seha Virtual Hospital robotic surgery office.
The interventions covered general surgery, obesity surgery, thoracic surgery, and obstetrics-gynecology. On the first day, four consecutive operations were performed across different specialties, including some with complex surgical difficulties.
The program aims to create a national Saudi protocol for remote robotic surgery involving digital, technical, and medical experts to establish a scalable national model. King Khalid University Hospital has contributed to the development and spread of robotic surgery in the Kingdom since 2003.
Future applications of the program may include use during humanitarian situations, emergencies, and large gatherings such as the Hajj.
How was the first phase of the remote robotic surgery program implemented? The first phase involved seven interventions carried out over a period of three days. The patients were located in the operating rooms of King Khalid University Hospital, while the surgical team performed the procedures remotely from the robotic surgery office at the Seha Virtual Hospital.
What medical specialties were covered during the initial operations? The initial interventions included general surgery, thoracic surgery, obesity surgery, and obstetrics-gynecology. During the first day of the program, the team completed four consecutive operations in various specialties, some of which involved complex surgical difficulties.
What are the long-term goals of the KSUMC and Seha Virtual Hospital partnership? The program intends to develop a national Saudi protocol for remote robotic surgery with input from medical, technical, and digital experts. This effort aims to create a scalable national model and expand the use of telesurgery during emergencies, humanitarian situations, and large gatherings like the Hajj.