A significant milestone in remote surgical practice emerged as Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Chairman and CEO of SS Innovations International, completed an intercontinental robotic cardiac operation from over 4,000 miles away. This procedure utilized the SSi Mantra 3 surgical robotic system, connecting two continents through advanced teleoperation. The event not only highlights ongoing advancements in robotic surgery but also brings attention to the growing role of remote medical technologies. Factors such as network reliability and the need for specialized training continue to shape global discussions on the possibilities of telesurgery.
Efforts to expand the scope of telesurgery have gained pace worldwide, with SS Innovations marking another step forward through this remote intervention. Similar developments were reported in the last year, as the company announced several successful telesurgeries, including complex cardiac cases, with improved precision and reduced latency. Previously, remote surgeries typically involved shorter distances or experimental contexts. Growing competition from firms like Intuitive Surgical and MicroPort underscores a trend toward longer-distance operations and the diversification of procedures beyond cardiac and bariatric specialties. These trends collectively point to both the expanding technical feasibility and ongoing real-world implementation challenges that are now being addressed.
How Did SS Innovations Achieve Remote Cardiac Surgery?
On July 19, 2025, Dr. Srivastava conducted a robotic atrial septal defect closure at the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences in Indore, India, while operating remotely from Strasbourg, France, during the Society of Robotic Surgery Annual Meeting. With local clinical support on-site in India, the patient benefited from real-time expertise delivered from across continents. SS Innovations reported the surgery was completed with no technical complications or perceptible latency, underscoring the effective integration of advanced robotics and telecommunications.
What Are Other Companies Doing in Robotic Telesurgery?
Other prominent competitors have recently showcased their own capabilities for remote surgical intervention. For example, Intuitive Surgical recently demonstrated a transatlantic telesurgery via its da Vinci 5 system, enabling two surgeons to collaboratively operate on a simulated tissue model spanning over 4,000 miles. MicroPort’s MedBot system also performed remote laparoscopic procedures in Africa using its Toumai system, showing the global reach of robotic telesurgery across various medical specialties. Additionally, QNX continues to express interest in embedding robust software for robotic systems, addressing reliability and safety for these applications.
Are There Challenges and Future Prospects for Widespread Telesurgery?
Technical, logistical, and regulatory hurdles remain before large-scale adoption is feasible. While remote surgeries have demonstrated low latency and high control during recent trials, wide deployment depends on the consistent availability of high-speed networking, thorough surgeon training, and robust support systems in operating theaters. Future research is likely to focus on refining these processes, raising questions about network infrastructure readiness and international standards for surgical procedures.
The ongoing drive to bring advanced surgical care through remote robotics continues to evolve as technical infrastructure, device precision, and network reliability improve. Although leading brands such as SS Innovations, Intuitive Surgical, and MicroPort are expanding the field with technologies like the SSi Mantra 3 and da Vinci 5, there remains a need for more accessible training and standardized protocols. For medical facilities considering adoption, it is vital to evaluate network capabilities and develop local support teams ready to collaborate with remotely located specialists. Institutions that prioritize robust cybersecurity and ongoing skill development are more likely to see optimal patient outcomes and sustainable implementation. As developments proceed, close collaboration between clinical, technical, and regulatory stakeholders will likely accelerate both improvements and safe integration.
“This historic achievement not only demonstrates the advanced capabilities of our SSi Mantra 3 surgical robotic system but also further paves the way for redefining and democratizing global delivery of complex cardiac care, especially in regions with limited access to surgical expertise.”
