TCG Anadolu takes robotic surgery to sea in 5G trial

Turkey has successfully conducted a groundbreaking 5G-enabled robotic surgery trial aboard the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, marking a significant step toward expanding medical capabilities during long-range naval missions. The demonstration, carried out by the Turkish Naval Forces in collaboration with Kocaeli University during Teknofest Blue Homeland at the Gölcük Shipyard Command, showcased how surgeons on land can provide real-time guidance to a surgical team stationed on a ship. The trial, which took place in Kocaeli province, involved a simulated operation on an organ model rather than a human patient. The experiment utilized telementoring technology, enabling specialists at Kocaeli University to monitor and direct the surgical process remotely. This approach allowed for seamless communication between the land-based experts and the onboard team, ensuring precision and safety. According to officials, the test represented the first time such a system had been implemented aboard a combat vessel, potentially positioning Turkey as a pioneer in integrating robotic surgery into military healthcare infrastructure. The trial relied on a high-speed 5G network, which facilitated minimal latency, around 135 milliseconds, ensuring that movements were transmitted with negligible delay. Kocaeli University Rector Nuh Zafer Cantürk emphasized that the synchronization between the university's medical systems and the ship’s facilities was critical to the success of the operation. He outlined the project’s progression, noting that future phases will include teleconsultation, teleproctoring, and eventually full telesurgery, where a surgeon on land will directly control a robotic system aboard the ship. Potential applications of this technology include procedures such as gallbladder removal, appendectomy, and certain gynecological surgeries. These operations, currently requiring access to specialized medical facilities, could soon be performed even in remote maritime environments. Saadettin Hülagü, a Kocaeli lawmaker and former university leader, explained that the initiative was driven by the need to support robotic surgery on naval vessels operating far from Turkey. Initial tests confirmed that the ship’s vibration levels were within acceptable limits for the delicate nature of robotic surgery, while the 5G connectivity proved reliable under challenging conditions. Commander Navy Col. Nadir Kılınç highlighted the comprehensive medical facilities aboard the TCG Anadolu, including a 32-bed patient unit, an eight-bed ICU, a burn treatment area, two operating rooms, dental services, advanced imaging tools, a blood bank, and a laboratory. These resources, combined with the new robotic surgery capability, could significantly enhance the ship’s ability to deliver emergency care during extended deployments. Kılınç noted that the technology could one day allow complex surgical interventions to take place while the vessel operates hundreds of miles away from Turkish shores. Professor Önder Kara from Kocaeli University described the next stage of the project, which involves pairing two control consoles to transition from telementoring to full telesurgery. Initial trials will focus on animal models before advancing to human patients. This phased approach aims to ensure both technological readiness and regulatory compliance. As the program progresses, it could redefine the scope of medical support available to military personnel and civilians in remote locations, leveraging cutting-edge digital infrastructure to bridge geographical gaps.