As veterinary medicine faces increasing demands for precision, efficiency, and broader accessibility, robotics-assisted surgery is emerging as a potential solution. The technology is already transforming human healthcare, providing surgical tools that enhance precision, reduce recovery times, and even enable remote surgeries across vast distances. By looking at the remarkable advancements in human medicine, we can begin to see how these technologies might be adapted for veterinary use in the years ahead, particularly in addressing challenges like labor shortages and access to specialized care.
”The future of medicine lies in harnessing technology not just to improve outcomes but also to expand accessibility. The veterinary field will follow these trends, and in many ways, be ahead of them.” — Mark F. Magazu, II, MPA, JD - Principal, Strategy & Transformation
Professor Zhang Xu’s Remote Prostate Surgery: A Landmark in Robotic-Assisted Surgery
In 2023, Professor Zhang Xu of the Chinese PLA General Hospital performed a groundbreaking remote prostatectomy from Rome, guiding a Toumai® robot to conduct surgery on a patient in Beijing, over 8,000 kilometers away. This marked a significant leap for telesurgery, demonstrating how robotics can transcend physical barriers in delivering expert care. Made possible by advanced 5G technology, which supports high-speed, low-latency data transfer, the delay, or latency, between the surgeon's commands and the robot's response was only 135 milliseconds. This latency is significantly lower than the 200 milliseconds threshold recommended by various medical studies for safe telesurgery, ensuring that the surgeon could perform precise and real-time movements. The success of this operation underscores how such advancements might benefit veterinary practices, especially in underserved areas lacking access to specialized veterinary surgeons, allowing remote operations on animals from miles away.
MicroPort MedBot: 5G-Enabled SkyWalker™ Surgical Robotics for Orthopedics
In 2022, MicroPort MedBot made headlines with the successful clinical use of its SkyWalker™ Surgical Robot, performing a total knee replacement procedure. The surgery, conducted by Dr. Joseph Kavolus, marked the first clinical use of the SkyWalker™ robotic system for total knee arthroplasty in the United States. The robot integrates advanced technology to assist surgeons in soft tissue balancing and joint line reconstruction, providing enhanced precision and better outcomes. This innovation could be applied to veterinary orthopedics, allowing for more precise and less invasive surgeries on animals, particularly in joint replacement and repair procedures.
The da Vinci Surgical System: Leading Robotic Surgery in Prostate Procedures
The da Vinci® Surgical System is a widely recognized robotic platform that has been used successfully in human medicine for minimally invasive procedures, including radical prostatectomies. Institutions like the Mayo Clinic have integrated the da Vinci® system into urological surgeries, allowing for precise, minimally invasive techniques that reduce recovery times. As veterinary medicine begins to explore similar platforms, the da Vinci® system could inspire future applications for small and large animal surgeries requiring extreme precision.
Robotic-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery: Mayo Clinic’s Approach to Precision Surgery
At the forefront of robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery, the Mayo Clinic utilizes advanced robotics for procedures like hip and knee replacements. The integration of robotic systems into orthopedic care allows for enhanced precision, quicker recovery times, and improved patient outcomes. As the demand for advanced orthopedic care rises in veterinary medicine, particularly for joint issues in pets and large animals, similar robotic systems could offer a revolutionary approach to animal care.
”The potential to leverage robotics in veterinary surgery is immense. It addresses not only the shortage of specialists but also brings top-quality care to animals in remote regions.” — Mark F. Magazu, DVM - Principal, Leadership & Governance
Stanford University’s AI and Robotics Research: Advancing Precision in Surgery
Stanford University is a leader in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with robotics to improve surgical precision. The university's Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) initiative has explored how AI can enhance decision-making in robotic surgery. These developments could directly impact veterinary care, allowing robotic systems to adapt to the anatomical differences of various animal species. The integration of AI would also provide veterinarians with the ability to perform complex procedures with a higher degree of accuracy, potentially reducing recovery times and improving surgical outcomes for animals.
Challenges and Requirements for Veterinary Robotics
While these advancements show tremendous potential, several challenges must be addressed before robotics can be widely adopted in veterinary medicine:
- Developing Species-Specific Robotics: Robotics designed for human surgery must be adapted to handle the wide variety of species that veterinary professionals treat. From small cats to large horses, each animal’s anatomy presents unique challenges, and future robotic systems will need to account for this variability.
- AI Integration for Veterinary Precision: AI plays a critical role in human robotic surgery, helping to guide instruments and make real-time decisions. Similar AI-driven systems could be developed to aid veterinarians in performing surgeries across a variety of species, making precision surgery more accessible to veterinary professionals in general practice.
- Veterinary Training and Education: Veterinary surgeons will require specialized training to use robotic systems, just as human surgeons do. Veterinary schools may need to partner with human medical schools and research institutions to develop training programs, ensuring that the next generation of veterinary surgeons is equipped to handle these advanced technologies.
- Financial Feasibility: The cost of robotic surgical systems is currently a significant barrier to adoption in veterinary practices. While systems like the da Vinci® can cost millions of dollars, future developments may lead to more affordable, veterinary-specific robots, making this technology viable for a broader range of practices. Veterinary institutions will need to advocate for cost-effective solutions, supported by government grants and industry collaborations.
- Cross-Industry Collaboration: Veterinary and human medicine can benefit from closer collaboration on robotic technologies. Sharing research, development, and training resources across these fields could accelerate the adoption of robotics in veterinary care. Human medical companies may even expand their robotic systems to include veterinary-specific applications, bringing innovation to both fields.
Conclusion: The Future of Veterinary Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery has already revolutionized human healthcare, and its potential in veterinary medicine is clear. From the pioneering work of Professor Zhang Xu to the continued expansion of 5G and AI-driven systems in human medicine, these advancements pave the way for veterinary applications. While challenges such as cost, species-specific adaptations, and training must be overcome, the future of robotic surgery in veterinary care looks bright. The possibility of delivering top-tier, remote surgical care to underserved or rural areas may be closer than we think, and these technologies hold the promise of transforming the veterinary profession.
”Innovation in robotics will undoubtedly reshape veterinary medicine. The key challenge will be ensuring equitable access so that all communities benefit from these advancements.” — Melissa Magazu-Johnsonbaugh - Principal, Practice & Standards
As these technologies evolve, veterinary professionals should prepare to embrace this exciting new frontier, bringing the precision and efficiency of robotics to the world of animal health.
