Robotic telesurgery applied to bariatric surgery: technical foundations, operational challenges and perspectives in clinical practice

Abstract

Introduction: The use of robotic systems in bariatric surgery has reached a stage of maturity that supports its application with consistent results in the management of severe obesity. At the same time, the improvement of communication networks and digital support bases has renewed the debate on telesurgery as an alternative to extend specialized surgical care, particularly in contexts marked by the unequal concentration of highly complex services. Objective: Present the first teleassisted bariatric robotic operation in Latin America between two states of Brazil separated by 3,200 km, in order to demonstrate its operational capacity in real time. Method: A sleeve gastrectomy was performed with two separate teams: one performing the procedure in the metropolitan area of ​​Curitiba, PR, and the other in the city of João Pessoa, PB, both in Brazil. Result: The procedure was performed without significant operative differences when compared to the in-person system and in the same way as it could have been done without the use of telesurgery. Conclusion: Within this transition process, robot-assisted bariatric surgery stands out as a strategic environment for experimentation, systematic evaluation, and consolidation, providing access to new approaches, such as telesurgery, contributing to the construction of a more integrated and innovative surgical model.