World's first patient undergoes AI-assisted surgery to get brain tumour removed

Neurosurgeons in London made history by removing a brain tumour from a patient while an artificial intelligence system closely monitored the procedure, providing real-time guidance on what not to touch. The 48-year-old patient, Rhys Hibbert from Bedfordshire, had his sight preserved and was walking without assistance within a week.

The surgery took place in May at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, a facility associated with University College London Hospitals. The groundbreaking procedure was only disclosed on August 27, once Hibbert had fully recovered.

The tumour was discovered accidentally during a seizure on a routine lunchtime walk. Prior to the surgery, Hibbert was a dedicated customer service manager and an ambulance volunteer who regularly walked two miles on his lunch break. In December 2024, he was an active individual who indulged in daily physical activities. The tumour, being non-cancerous, had gradually been pressing on his optic nerves, leading to the gradual loss of his lower field of vision and the subsequent use of walking sticks after several unfortunate falls.

Unlike traditional surgeries, where surgeons rely on pre-operation brain scans, the AI system watched the live surgical video feed, colour-coding vessels and nerves and highlighting the safest areas for incisions. The technology was developed at the UCL Hawkes Institute, operates on Nvidia's Clara IGX platform, and was trained on hundreds of annotated pituitary operations.

The AI system, reminiscent of face unlock on a smartphone rather than a robotic surgeon, was designed to flag potential risks and guide the surgeons accordingly.

Rhys Hibbert expressed his gratitude towards the AI system, stating, "There are no road signs inside our head." The University College London Hospitals (UCL) is now planning to conduct a larger AI surgery trial to further explore the capabilities and potential of this innovative technology. Prof Hani Marcus, who performed the surgery alongside resident surgeon Danyal Khan, emphasized that the surgeons maintained complete control over the operation.

The ultimate goal is to create an AI system akin to ChatGPT for the operating theatre, acting as a second opinion that surgeons can consult or override, ultimately enhancing the precision and safety of surgical procedures.