Implementation of 5G ultra-remote robotic-assisted surgery for endometrial cancer staging in China using the Edge surgical robot system: A case report and technical discussion

The integration of 5G technology into telerobotic surgery is expanding minimally invasive options in gynecologic oncology by enabling high-definition 3D visualization, precise articulation of instruments, and low-latency remote collaboration. This case report describes the use of a domestically developed Chinese surgical robotic system (Edge) to perform comprehensive endometrial cancer staging and shares insights regarding its technical implementation. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of 5G-supported, robot-assisted endometrial cancer staging surgery using a domestically developed robotic platform. On August 22, 2025, a remote robotic-assisted endometrial cancer staging procedure was successfully performed on a 63-year-old female patient through collaboration between Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Chinese PLA General Hospital, utilizing the domestically produced Edge surgical robot. Operative time, technical details, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative recovery metrics were systematically documented and analyzed. The procedure was completed successfully in 126 min with an estimated blood loss of 30 mL. No severe intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The 5G network supported real-time operation seamlessly, with a measured video latency of 19 ​ms and no subjective lag reported. Intraoperative frozen section analysis of four sentinel lymph nodes showed no evidence of metastasis. The patient followed an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, recovered favorably, and was discharged without incident. Final pathology confirmed G1 endometrial adenocarcinoma. The final pathological staging was FIGO Stage IA. This case demonstrates that a 5G-supported, domestically developed robotic system can safely and effectively facilitate precise pelvic dissection and lymph node evaluation during endometrial cancer staging surgery. The successful execution under real-time remote collaboration highlights the clinical feasibility of this approach. These results support the broader clinical adoption, while also underscoring the importance of optimizing 5G infrastructure, ensuring cybersecurity, and enhancing specialized team training to maximize the potential of telerobotic surgery in gynecologic oncology.