An Indian-origin cardiac surgeon, Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, performed the world’s longest-distance robotic telesurgery between Guyana and India, spanning nearly 20,000 km.
The robot-assisted coronary artery bypass was completed using the SSi Mantra surgical robotic system in a real-time transcontinental setup.
The procedure highlights the expanding role of robotic telesurgery in enabling remote cardiac care through advanced digital surgical networks.
A robotic coronary bypass was performed on May 26, 2026, by Dr. Sudhir Srivastava using the SSi Mantra system between Guyana and India, covering nearly 20,000 km in what SS Innovations describes as the world’s longest-distance robotic telesurgery.
The procedure was carried out remotely by Indian-origin cardiac surgeon and SS Innovations CEO Dr. Sudhir Srivastava using the SSi Mantra surgical robotic system.
The robot-assisted coronary artery bypass took about four hours and 50 minutes and is being described by the company as the longest-distance robotic telesurgery performed to date. Surgical teams in India provided on-site support to assist with coordination and patient-side safety.
The surgery used the SSi Mantra robotic platform developed by SS Innovations for minimally invasive and remote surgical procedures. The system enabled real-time control of robotic instruments through a tele-surgeon console with high-definition 3D visualization.
The procedure included a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) takedown, a standard step in coronary artery bypass grafting.
According to SS Innovations, the operation ran over a fiber-optic network with a latency of approximately 290–300 milliseconds, allowing synchronized communication between the remote surgeon and the operating room team.
The company stated that the SSi Mantra platform has been used in over 170 surgical procedures globally and is currently the only robotic system used for cardiac telesurgery.
The procedure was conducted through collaboration between SS Innovations, IRCAD India, and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), linking clinical teams in Guyana and India on May 26, 2026.
The SSi Mantra system enabled cross-border robotic surgery over a fiber-optic network spanning nearly 20,000 km, with Dr. Srivastava operating remotely from Guyana on a patient in India.
According to SS Innovations and partner institutions, surgical teams at both locations supported intraoperative coordination and safety monitoring. The platform has also been used in earlier international telesurgeries, including procedures exceeding 10,000 km.
The operation took place during national celebrations in Guyana and was referenced by officials as part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare capacity through international partnerships and advanced surgical technologies.
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Robotic telesurgery systems such as SSi Mantra are being explored for their potential to expand access to specialist surgical care in regions with limited availability of cardiac surgeons.
The 20,000 km intercontinental procedure demonstrates the technical feasibility of performing complex cardiac operations remotely, provided there is stable network infrastructure and coordinated surgical support teams.
Experts and developers suggest that such systems could play a role in reducing geographical barriers to advanced cardiac care, particularly in underserved healthcare systems where access to minimally invasive surgery remains limited.
However, large-scale adoption will depend on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure readiness, and further clinical validation of long-distance robotic surgical procedures.
References:
1. SS Innovations International, Inc. “SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System Overview and Clinical Use.” Company Product Information, 2026. https://ssinnovations.com
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