Telerobotic surgery between Baltimore and Munich

The rapid development of laparoscopy in urology necessitates the training of specialists to guarantee the high standard of patient care. The real-time data communication of medical information between physicians in different locations is known as telemedicine. Telementoring describes the assistance of an experienced surgeon, while telerobotics requires the use of robots. Two robots, the established AESOP and the PAKY+RCM developed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH),were used to perform a telerobotic laparoscopic renal cyst ablation in cooperation between Baltimore and Munich. The telementor maneuvered the robots over a distance of 8000 km using eight ISDN lines and a PC. AESOP moved the camera, while PAKY allowed the use of a fan retractor in the abdomen. The telerobotic operation was performed without complications or system and communication failures. Telementoring can be used for training purposes but also for consultation between specialists in emergency settings.