World's first transnational robot-assisted heart surgery succeeds with 10,000 km remote control
On October 23, 2025, Xiamen Heart Hospital in China successfully performed the world's first transnational robot-assisted transcatheter cardiac interventional surgery. The operation was remotely guided by experts located over 10,000 kilometers away at the University Hospital of Bordeaux in France, marking a breakthrough in global medical collaboration and precision robotics.
Using a high-speed, low-latency international network, Professor Wang Yan and Professor Lionel Leroux remotely operated a robotic system in Xiamen to perform mitral valve repair on a patient. Every micro-movement of the guidewire and clamp was synchronized in real time, achieving submillimeter precision without a local operator present.
The procedure lasted about one hour, with stable cross-border communication and excellent surgical outcomes. The patient recovered well and has since been discharged. The robotic system used in the operation was co-developed by Xiamen Heart Hospital and Shanghai Shujike Medical Technology, featuring high-precision robotic arms, intelligent motion control, and 5G redundant communication.
This achievement demonstrates the potential of remote robotic surgery to overcome geographic barriers, enabling expert care across continents. It also highlights China's growing capabilities in high-end medical equipment and international healthcare innovation.
Xiamen Heart Hospital is affiliated with Xiamen University and specializes in cardiovascular treatment and research. The hospital is known for pioneering robotic surgery and advancing global medical collaboration through technology.
