Health
London neurosurgeons perform first live AI-assisted brain tumour surgery
Surgeons used real-time artificial intelligence to help remove an 11mm pituitary tumour, restoring the patient's vision and preventing severe complications.
The short version
- Surgeons at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London successfully removed an 11mm non-cancerous pituitary tumour from 48-year-old patient Rhys Hibbert using real-time AI assistance.
- The AI system analyzed live endoscopic camera footage to highlight and color-code critical nerves and blood vessels, assisting surgeons during the delicate procedure while human doctors retained full control.
- Hibbert, whose condition threatened his sight and caused severe fatigue, reported significant vision improvements and recovery following the operation.
- The clinical trial team, backed by Google and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, plans to expand testing through a larger clinical trial.
Key facts
- Neurosurgeons performed the world's first successful brain tumour extraction using live AI assistance on patient Rhys Hibbert at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.[BBC News · The Guardian]
- The procedure took place in May 2026, but details were disclosed publicly in August after the patient recovered.[The Guardian]
- The AI tool was trained on hundreds of surgical videos to track instruments and identify key anatomical structures in real time on a secondary monitor.[BBC News · The Guardian]
- The project received funding support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Google.[BBC News · The Guardian]
- The patient experienced restored clarity in vision and returned to work after the operation.[BBC News · The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The effectiveness and safety profile of the AI tool across broader patient populations remain to be established through upcoming larger clinical trials.[BBC News]