A live, remote-controlled robotic surgery demonstration at the 94th Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has shown how surgical expertise can be shared across borders, with a patient in India part of the procedure.
The session, held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, featured Dr Mohit Bhandari, Director of Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics, who briefly controlled robotic instruments from Australia to perform part of a surgery on a patient in India.
The demonstration took place during a plenary session titled Collaborating with patients and industry, in front of surgeons, trainees and healthcare professionals attending the congress from 29 April to 3 May 2026. It was conducted for educational purposes, giving delegates a direct view of how tele-enabled systems may be used in tightly managed clinical settings.
Dr Ravi Rao, Bariatric Surgery Convenor for the congress, said the session reflected a broader change in how surgical knowledge is shared.
“What we have seen here is not just a technological advancement, but a shift in how surgical expertise can be shared across borders. The implications for training, collaboration, and patient care are significant.”
The demonstration pointed to the potential for improving access to specialist care, particularly where distance limits availability. Organisers noted that such procedures remain in early stages of clinical use and are carried out with strict oversight, with local surgical teams continuing to manage patient care.
The congress brings together surgeons and healthcare professionals from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and international centres. It continues to focus on developments in surgical training, collaboration and clinical practice.
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