London: Neurosurgeons in London have successfully performed what health officials described as the world’s first AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour, helping save the eyesight of a 48-year-old man, according to a BBC report.
The surgery was carried out in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The details were released on Thursday after the patient, Rhys Hibbert, recovered from the procedure.
According to the report, the surgical team remained in full control while an artificial intelligence system analysed live camera footage during the operation. The technology helped identify critical structures, including nerves and blood vessels, that needed to be avoided while removing an 11-mm tumour from Hibbert’s pituitary gland.
The AI system uses colour coding to help surgeons identify tiny and sensitive anatomical structures in real time. It had previously been used by the hospital as a research tool, but the procedure marked its first use on a patient.
Hibbert, who had been diagnosed in 2024 and later developed severe hormone imbalance and vision problems, said he was able to see clearly after waking from surgery and could walk independently without glasses or walking aids within a week. He has since returned to work.
Dr Sophia Bano, associate professor of robotics and AI at UCL and technical lead for the system, said the technology had learned from hundreds of surgical videos and was designed to recognise critical anatomy, surgical instruments and tissue interactions during delicate procedures.
The pituitary gland is located close to blood vessels and nerves responsible for vision, making the procedure particularly high-risk. Health officials said even a millimetre of error could potentially result in blindness, stroke or death.
The operation was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of a clinical trial. NIHR scientific director for innovation Prof Mike Lewis described the procedure as pioneering and said it demonstrated the potential of advanced AI to support surgeons and improve patient care.
Hibbert said the procedure was particularly fitting because the NHNN, founded in 1859, was the world’s first dedicated neurosurgical hospital.
