The first remote surgery in Poland and Europe by Polish doctors from the PIM MSWiA in Warsaw
Today, in Warsaw and Gdańsk, a team of specialists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration's Department of Imaging and Management is performing two remote surgeries using the EDGE MP1000 system. This is the first multiport robot-assisted remote surgical procedure in Poland and the first in Europe for urological surgery, and the first application in the world for cardiac surgery.
As confirmed by the Institute's Press Spokesman, Mr. Dariusz Dewille, two telesurgical operations are being performed this morning between two hospitals in Warsaw and Gdańsk.
The operations are performed by Polish specialists using the EDGE MP1000 surgical robot.
The Institute's director, cardiac surgeon Prof. Piotr Suwalski, MD, PhD, a leading specialist in robotic surgery, is currently performing the world's first heart surgery using the new robot, and then Dr. Paweł Wisz, MD, PhD, a leading specialist in robotic urological surgery, will perform a radical prostatectomy.
EDGE System The MP1000 received CE/MDR (Medical Device Regulation) certification in April of this year, allowing it to be used throughout the European Union. It represents a new generation of robots and represents the next step in technological development in this product segment.
This is the first in Poland and at the same time the first in Europe remote surgical procedure assisted by a multiport robot in the field of urological surgery , while in cardiac surgery it is the first application in the world .
The operators and the surgical console with the telesurgery system are located at the Ministry of Interior and Administration Hospital in Gdańsk, while the patients, the EDGE MP1000 robot and the team securing the procedure are located at the Warsaw branch of the Ministry of Interior and Administration facility.
Today's first surgery is a bypass. We wanted to perform a standard procedure for us, one we perform practically every day. It's worth emphasizing that we are currently the center performing the most robotic cardiac surgeries in Europe. For today's procedure, I will be controlling the robot from Gdańsk, where the console is connected to the instrumentation section and the robot's arms. The patient and the seven-person surgical team supervising the procedure are located in the PIM," explains Professor Suwalski, describing the organization of the teams in both cities.
The professor noted that an additional console has been prepared in Warsaw, and a team of surgeons and anesthesiologists are ready to take over control on site if necessary, ensuring maximum patient safety.
Both telesurgery procedures performed today are pioneering . Until now, remote surgeries have been performed sporadically as part of training courses or scientific conferences, but they have not become part of everyday clinical practice . Telesurgery requires reliable telecommunications links and synchronization of teams in two centers.
Preparations for the operation have been ongoing for the past few weeks. This involved both robotic alignment between the two centers, as well as organizational matters, such as ensuring a backup connection. We wanted to ensure the operation went smoothly. The police provided us with such a connection, for which I am deeply grateful," explains Professor Suwalski.
The program is planned to expand to include additional clinical centers in Poland and then in the CEE region. Plans also include establishing a national telesurgery competence center , which will train surgeons in the use of EDGE MP 1000 robots in both in-patient and remote settings. Specialists will gain access to a tool that expands surgical capabilities and allows them to work with patients in other facilities without the need for transportation.
Our ambition is to make modern robotic surgery accessible to the widest possible group of patients, regardless of their place of residence," emphasizes Dr. Paweł Wisz, MD.
However, telesurgery places high demands on communication within a multi-center team, operating room logistics, and patient consent. Physicians must be familiar with procedure protocols, rules for handling potential failures, and also have the support of IT specialists.
Poland has been investing dynamically in robotic surgery for several years. According to data from the National Health Fund , the number of procedures performed using robots in public facilities is growing . Robotic surgeries performed between remote hospitals increase the accessibility of procedures for patients living far from specialized facilities. It's also important to note that remote surgeries can become an important element in building the system's resilience to crises , such as during a pandemic or armed conflict.
We can imagine a situation in which a highly trained specialist performs a remote operation; the team doesn't have to expose themselves to danger in close proximity to the front," comments Professor Suwalski, speaking about the potential application of this technology in wartime conditions.
Source: press materials of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Updated: 01/08/2025 09:32
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