World first as operation is to be live-streamed in virtual reality

A British cancer patient is set to have his operation live-streamed using virtual-reality technology in a world first.

Viewers will be able to watch the groundbreaking surgery next month using a smartphone and VR headset, making them feel as if they are in the operating theatre.

Using several specialist cameras placed above the operating table the surgery will be broadcast live from the Royal London Hospital on April 14 and will last between two and three hours.

Shafi Ahmed, who has championed VR technology in surgery, will perform the operation, calling it a “game-changer” for healthcare innovation and education.

The patient, a British man in his 70s who is suffering from cancer of the colon, is said to be “excited” about the prospect of having his operation watched by thousands of people across the globe.

The broadcast will run a minute or so behind the surgery in case of unforeseen complications.

It isn’t the first time Dr Ahmed has revolutionised surgery — in 2014 he became the first surgeon to live-stream an operation while wearing Google Glass and has also experimented with 360-degree cameras.

VR is set to be the major technology trend of 2016.

Dr Ahmed, consultant surgeon at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, said the technology will “address the global inequalities in surgical health and will allow trainees and surgeons to connect and train remotely across the world”.