Neurosurgeons in London have performed what health officials described as the world’s first successful AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour, saving the sight of a 48-year-old man.
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. Details of the procedure were released only after the patient, Rhys Hibbert, had recovered.
During the operation, the surgical team remained fully in control while an artificial intelligence system analysed live camera footage. The technology helped identify critical structures, including nerves and blood vessels, that needed to be avoided while surgeons removed an 11mm tumour from Hibbert’s pituitary gland.
The AI technology uses colour coding to help surgeons identify tiny anatomical structures in the brain and distinguish them during highly delicate procedures.
Hibbert, who had initially been treated without surgery after being diagnosed in 2024, experienced worsening symptoms including severe hormone imbalances and vision problems. Doctors warned that without the operation, he faced the possibility of losing his sight.
Following the surgery, Hibbert said he was able to see clearly when he regained consciousness and was able to walk independently without glasses or walking aids within a week. He has since returned to his job as a customer service manager.
“It feels like I’ve got a 360-degree panoramic view of everything around me,” Hibbert said.
The hospital had previously used the AI technology as a research tool, but this was the first time it was used during an operation on a patient.
The pituitary gland is located close to blood vessels and nerves responsible for vision, making surgery in the area particularly delicate. Health officials noted that even a very small surgical error could result in serious consequences, including blindness, stroke or death.
Dr Sophia Bano, an associate professor in robotics and AI at University College London and the technical lead for the system, said the technology had learned from hundreds of surgical videos, exposing it to a breadth of surgical examples that could take a surgeon many years to encounter.
She said the system was designed to recognise critical anatomy, surgical instruments and tissue interactions in real time, supporting surgeons during highly complex procedures.
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.