Ji Mei Team Successfully Performs World's First 5G Three-Site Remote Single-Port Robotic Surgery

Background

Specialized medical expertise is often concentrated in major urban centers in China. Professor Ji Mei's gynecological team at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University has achieved high volumes of robotic surgeries nationally. The team has conducted the domestic first robotic VNOTES uterine removal and several firsts in the Central China region for robotic gynecologic operations. It has also been involved in the research and clinical testing of domestically produced surgical robots.

Patients at two regional hospitals in Xinjiang and Henan wished to have their surgeries performed by Professor Ji Mei due to the advantages of the single-port robotic technique. Because of the significant travel distances, a remote approach using 5G technology was chosen after the team conducted case discussions and planning with the local teams via the network.

What was achieved

On January 17, 2025, the team successfully implemented the world's first three-location linked rotating 5G remote single-port robotic surgery. Professor Ji Mei controlled the system from a console at the Zhengzhou hospital, performing the procedures on patients at Hami Central Hospital and Shangqiu First People's Hospital in succession. The distance spanned more than 3000 kilometers.

The procedures were a uterus with bilateral fallopian tube removal and a uterus with bilateral ovary and fallopian tube removal. The surgeries were completed with nearly zero intraoperative blood loss and the process was described as safe and smooth. Patients provided positive feedback after the operations. The event highlighted the potential for transferring advanced surgical techniques to lower-level hospitals through remote technology.

How it works

Single-port robotic surgery uses a single small incision in the abdominal wall, commonly in the umbilicus. Through this incision, a port is placed that allows passage of a high-definition 3D camera and the robotic surgical instruments. The system employed features snake-shaped arms designed for high flexibility and precision in the limited intraperitoneal space. This configuration helps to avoid the instrument interference and limited maneuverability often encountered in standard laparoscopic single-port surgery.

The operating surgeon sits at a master console and views a three-dimensional image from the camera. Hand and foot controls direct the movements of the robotic arms at the patient side. In a remote setup, these commands are transmitted over a 5G network along with the video feed, allowing the surgeon to perform the operation from a distant location as if present in the operating room. The local medical teams at the patient hospitals manage anesthesia, robot docking, and assistance.

In this three-site model, robotic systems at the three hospitals were interconnected via a cloud-based dedicated network line. This allowed for dynamic rotation between the two patient sites, with the surgeon completing one case before switching control to the second robot. The network was designed to support flexible addition of more sites in the future for routine remote operations.

What it means for international patients

The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University maintains an International Medical Department at its Zhengdong campus, which opened in 2019. This department is designed to serve international patients, expatriates, and those seeking high-end care with features including multilingual services, VIP inpatient rooms, one-stop diagnostic pathways, multidisciplinary consultations, and direct settlement with certain international insurance providers.

The hospital's expertise in robotic gynecological surgery, as demonstrated by this and prior procedures, may be of interest to international patients seeking advanced minimally invasive options for gynecologic conditions. Patients should contact the hospital's International Medical Department directly to confirm current availability of specific techniques, determine individual eligibility, and obtain personalized information on services.

About the hospital

The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University is a large comprehensive tertiary hospital located in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province. It is affiliated with Zhengzhou University and functions as a teaching institution integrating clinical care, education, and research. The hospital was founded in 1928 and has expanded to include multiple campuses such as the main He Yuan and Zhengdong sites.

It operates thousands of inpatient beds and conducts a high volume of outpatient visits and surgical procedures annually. The facility holds numerous national key clinical specialties and has established a National Remote Medical Center. It features an International Medical Center to facilitate care for overseas patients.