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London neurosurgeons perform first successful AI-assisted operation to remove brain tumour
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London neurosurgeons have achieved a historic milestone by performing the world's first successful AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour, a procedure that saved the sight of a 48-year-old patient. The groundbreaking surgery was conducted in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Details were confidential until Thursday to allow the patient, Rhys Hibbert, time to recover fully from the delicate procedure.
Hibbert's case involved an 11mm tumour located on his pituitary gland, a critical area where the gland, essential blood vessels, and vision-controlling nerves are tightly packed. Health officials noted that a millimetre of error in such a procedure could lead to blindness, stroke, or death. The patient's symptoms, including severe hormone imbalance and vision problems, had worsened since his diagnosis in 2024, making surgery imperative to prevent permanent blindness.
During the operation, the surgical team remained in full control while the AI system provided crucial real-time assistance. The technology analysed live camera footage, colour-coding and identifying key anatomical structures like nerves and vessels that needed to be avoided around the tumour. This AI support helped the surgeons navigate the complex and high-risk anatomy with unprecedented precision and confidence.
Dr Sophia Bano, the technical lead for the AI system and an associate professor at UCL, explained the technology's value. She stated that by learning from hundreds of surgical videos, the system has been trained on a breadth of examples that would take a human surgeon years to encounter. It is designed to recognize critical anatomy, instruments, and tissue interactions in real time, offering vital support during highly delicate procedures.
The patient's recovery has been remarkable. Rhys Hibbert reported clear vision immediately after the surgery and was walking independently without aids within a week. He has since returned to his job as a customer service manager, describing his restored sight as having a "360-degree panoramic view" of his surroundings.
Professor Mike Lewis from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which funded the operation as part of a clinical trial, praised the pioneering surgery. He highlighted its significance in demonstrating the potential of advanced AI to support surgeons and improve patient outcomes in complex medical interventions.
