Pontremoli, Italy — For the first time, a surgical team at Ospedale di Pontremoli successfully performed a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using the Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) technique, under real-time remote supervision from an expert surgeon based in Latina, Italy.
The operation was carried out by Dr. El Rachidi Alaa El Dine (lead surgeon), with Dr. Marco Massi (assistant surgeon), operating room nurses, and technical staff. The procedure was performed on a 60-year-old patient, who was discharged the following day with no complications and without needing to stay overnight in the surgical unit at Fivizzano Hospital.
A Minimally Invasive Approach for Faster Recovery
This innovative procedure was performed entirely in the extraperitoneal space — between the abdominal wall and the peritoneum — avoiding contact with internal organs. This approach reduces the risk of adhesions and other complications, offering a safer and less invasive option for the patient.
By working only outside the peritoneal cavity, the surgical team minimized trauma, allowing for a smoother, faster recovery and a reduced need for post-operative care or pain medication.
Remote Guidance from a Center of Excellence
Throughout the procedure, remote supervision was provided in real time by Dr. Angelo Iossa, a specialist surgeon from the hospital in Latina and head of the Sircob excellence center at Sapienza University of Rome.
His remote guidance—made possible through advanced telepresence technology—ensured that the surgical team in Pontremoli had expert support throughout the entire operation, which lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Innovation Through Collaboration
The success of this intervention highlights how remote collaboration can bring high-level expertise to local hospitals, improving both surgical precision and patient outcomes.
For Pontremoli Hospital, this milestone marks an important step forward in making specialized care more accessible, enhancing training opportunities, and strengthening surgical networks across regions.
This article was translated from Italian to English based on a news piece originally published on 17 October 2025.
