Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital livestreams complex eye surgeries for international medical education
Dr. Flavio Rezende's retinal procedures broadcast live to colleagues at the American Society of Retina Specialists congress, part of a four-year effort to lead in surgical education.
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The Angus Centre for outpatient ophthalmic surgery at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital livestreamed a series of complex retinal surgeries on Tuesday to give medical trainees a real-time window into the operating room. Dr. Flavio Rezende performed the procedures, which were broadcast to an observation room downtown and to doctors from around the world attending the annual American Society of Retina Specialists congress.
Rezende selected cases of varying difficulty to show viewers a broad range of surgical techniques. The broadcast required specialized cameras and reliable high-speed internet to prevent lagging—a setup that took four years to organize. Retinal surgery involves microscopic operations, and the Maisonneuve-Rosemont team specializes in using a small tube equipped with a camera to perform procedures on patients whose corneas are opaque due to trauma or other damage.
Dr. Cynthia Qian, a colleague of Rezende, noted that conference surgeries are often carefully staged—five-hour procedures summarized in two minutes. By watching sensitive and complex surgeries live, students see real-life situations, not classroom-simplified cases. Rezende hopes the livestreams also help curb misinformation on social media by creating high-quality, high-level surgical content. "There are a lot of videos posted online in one way or another, with very little quality control," he said. The hospital aims to hold more of these sessions to boost its international reputation and establish Montreal as a leader in surgical education.
The facts
What surgeries did Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital livestream?
Complex retinal surgeries performed by Dr. Flavio Rezende at the Angus Centre for outpatient ophthalmic surgery on Tuesday, July 15, 2026.
Where were the livestreamed surgeries broadcast?
The procedures were broadcast to an observation room downtown and to doctors attending the annual American Society of Retina Specialists congress around the world.
How long did it take to set up the livestreaming equipment?
Four years were required to organize the specialized cameras and reliable high-speed internet needed to prevent lagging during the broadcasts at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.
