5G Remote Robotic Surgery for Hepatic Echinococcosis in High-Altitude Region

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

5G-based Telerobotic Hepatectomy: Participants will undergo a radical hepatectomy for hepatic echinococcosis using the domestic Toumai™ robotic surgical system. The procedure is performed via a tele-robotic approach, where the lead surgeon operates from a remote console at the hub hospital (Chengdu) to control robotic arms positioned at the remote site (Lhasa). The intervention is integrated with a dedicated 5G network slicing solution designed to maintain ultra-low latency (\<50ms) and high-fidelity 4K 3D endoscopic video transmission, ensuring real-time synchronization between the surgeon's input and mechanical response. The procedure also incorporates the SurgSmart AI auxiliary system for real-time anatomical identification, and is supported by a local bedside surgical team at the remote site who provide intraoperative assistance and emergency backup, maintaining a standardized clinical workflow for complex tele-robotic liver resections.

Study summary

Hepatic echinococcosis (HE) is a serious endemic parasitic disease in high-altitude regions like Xizang. Radical hepatectomy is the primary curative treatment, but expert resources are often concentrated in large medical centers. This prospective, single-arm study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of performing remote robotic hepatectomy using the Chinese Toumai™ robotic system over a 5G network. Ten patients in West China Hospital Tibet Hospital, Sichuan University (Lhasa, 3650m altitude) will undergo surgery performed by expert surgeons at West China Hospital (Chengdu). The primary focus is the surgical success rate and perioperative safety.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Technical Success Rate of 5G-based Telerobotic Hepatectomy — From the start of the robotic procedure until the completion of the surgery, assessed up to 24 hours.
  Technical success is defined as the successful completion of the pre-planned radical resection of hepatic echinococcosis using the Toumai™ robotic surgical system, strictly adhering to the following criteria: (1) no intraoperative conversion to open surgery due to system failure or technical complications; (2) no intraoperative damage to critical vascular or biliary structures attributed to robotic system latency or mechanical malfunction; (3) no requirement for emergency manual intervention by the bedside team to rectify system-related issues; and (4) the successful completion of the target procedure within the standardized operative time framework. This metric serves as the primary indicator for evaluating the operational feasibility and safety of the 5G telerobotic model.

Trial sites (1)

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