Canadian Doctors Use Robots for Remote Brain Surgery Breakthrough

Canadian doctors are pioneering remote robotic surgery, allowing critical procedures to be performed from considerable distances. This innovation could transform healthcare access, particularly for patients in rural areas of Canada. The team at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto has successfully completed ten brain angiograms using a remote-controlled robot operated by Dr. Vitor Mendes Pereira, demonstrating the potential of this technology to save lives.

During an interview on CBC’s The Current, Dr. Pereira explained the significance of this advancement: “Every minute counts. If I can deploy the robot and treat closest to where the patient is, that can save hours.” The remote-controlled procedures rely on a reliable internet connection, enabling swift diagnosis and treatment.

Aiming even higher, the team hopes to conduct an endovascular thrombectomy, a surgery to remove blood clots, for a patient located approximately 500 kilometres away in Sault Ste. Marie. This would mark the first instance of such a procedure being performed remotely globally, pending approval from Health Canada.

How Remote Surgery Works

From a control room, Dr. Pereira can maneuver a catheter through a patient’s arteries and veins, communicating continuously with the on-site surgical team. He began performing procedures in the same room as the patient, then gradually increased the distance to six kilometres during the most recent surgery in August 2023.

Despite concerns about potential internet disruptions, Nicole Cancelliere, program manager and technologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, reassured that safety mechanisms are in place. “Fortunately, because of all the testing we did… this is not something we experienced, but we would be able to adapt in a scenario if that was to happen,” she said.

Impact on Rural Healthcare

The technology holds personal significance for Cancelliere, whose grandfather died from a stroke. “Knowing that it can help patients like my grandfather and families and save lives is just something that I’m truly passionate about,” she shared.

Dr. Michael Kutryk, chief of the cardiology department at Sault Area Hospital, highlighted the urgent need for such technology in rural settings. Patients in Sault Ste. Marie currently face significant delays, often requiring air transport to Sudbury for necessary surgeries. Kutryk noted that the region sees about twelve to seventeen strokes annually that would necessitate this procedure.

With robotic assistance, patients can receive timely treatment closer to home, which could dramatically improve outcomes. “I think it’s going to be a game-changer for the whole world,” Kutryk stated.

Cost Considerations

Adopting this innovative approach does come with substantial financial implications. The surgical robot itself costs between $1 million and $3 million, and each procedure involves additional one-time-use equipment expenses. Dr. Sarah Giles, president-elect of the Society of Royal Physicians of Canada, emphasized the challenges rural hospitals face in budgeting for such advanced technologies.

For the robotic system to be viable, it must be utilized frequently. Giles expressed concerns about the current state of rural healthcare, stating, “Right now, I would argue we don’t even have the basics.”

Despite these challenges, Pereira and Kutryk are optimistic about the long-term benefits. Pereira believes that one robot in a hospital could save the healthcare system up to $2 million annually if it facilitates around twenty procedures. “Time is one of the most challenging factors for us to deal with in medicine overall, and having a solution that we can buy time, I think that it will convince any health authority that needs to approve a technology like that,” he concluded.

As this technology continues to develop, the potential for improving healthcare access for patients in remote regions becomes increasingly promising. The innovative use of remote robotic surgery could reshape the landscape of medical treatment across Canada and beyond.