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AI helps perform brain surgery on British man in world first
The tool tracked instruments and highlighted hidden vessels and nerves, helping surgeons remove more of the tumour while keeping full control.
- During a procedure in May, 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert became the world's first patient to have a brain tumour removed using real-time artificial intelligence at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
- An 11mm non-cancerous pituitary tumour threatened Hibbert's vision by pressing against optic nerves and carotid arteries, with clinicians facing a 25–50% risk of incomplete removal and a 0.5–2% chance of injuring major blood vessels.
- Developed in-house at the UCL Hawkes Institute, the AI analyzed live surgical feeds to identify hidden anatomical structures in real time. "It is trained on more operations than most surgeons see or do in a lifetime," said Prof Hani Marcus.
- Hibbert recovered quickly, noting his sight improved significantly within eight weeks. "When I opened my eyes after the operation it felt like I had got 360-degree vision," he said, reporting his energy returned and side effects vanished.
- Researchers aim to develop a "ChatGPT for surgeons" to act as an expert advisor during operations, with the team currently working on a larger trial funded by Google and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
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Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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