Stardate 20010605.0910 (On Screen): This technology may well be a good one, as long as the data link is fast and reliable. It does have a real problem if the "lag" is variable, since the surgeon controlling it is relying on realtime visual feedback. I can't see this really being used big-time for civilian medicine; it's rare that you need some specific individual surgeon for an emergency surgery at a moment's notice; usually either there will be a local surgeon who can handle the job, or there will be enough time for either the patient or surgeon to travel.
Where this may be useful is in military situations, and I do know that the US military has been looking into these technologies for a long time now. That is a place where this does make sense, because you could place robotic surgeons in front line aid stations, and have them be controlled from further behind the lines. It's long been known in military medicine that the sooner a casualty can be treated, the better his chances are of survival. This may represent a significant step in that regard. One or two of these per battalion could save a lot of lives. (discuss)
