Surgeons at University College London Hospital (UCLH) have opened a new chapter in the history of medicine. For the first time in the world, they used artificial intelligence (AI) in real time to safely remove a brain tumor from a 48-year-old man. Without the new technology, the patient was at risk of losing his sight completely.
The patient, Rhys Hibbert, developed an 11-millimeter benign tumor on his pituitary gland, a small organ located at the base of the skull. As the tumor grew, it began pressing on the optic nerves, causing the man’s field of vision to narrow, as well as persistent fatigue, dizziness and episodes of fainting. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the tumor was dangerously close to the carotid arteries — major blood vessels that supply the brain with blood.
The operation was performed by inserting an endoscope, a small camera, through the nasal cavity. Because the tumor was hidden behind layers of bone and membrane, removing it safely was an extremely challenging task. It was at this critical stage that artificial intelligence was brought into the procedure. On a dedicated screen, the AI analyzed video footage in real time, tracked the surgical instruments and precisely showed doctors the hidden blood vessels and nerves whose damage could have been fatal.
According to British professor Hani Marcus, the technology was trained on video recordings of hundreds of similar operations. The algorithm has effectively “analyzed” far more surgical procedures than any doctor could perform in an entire career, allowing it to serve as an “expert second set of eyes” in the operating room. The team’s long-term goal is to create a so-called “medical ChatGPT” for surgeons, which they could consult for real-time advice in complex situations.
The researchers emphasize that the technology serves only an assistive role and that surgeons retain absolute control over the operation. The AI tool, developed by researchers at University College London and funded by Google, has been tested in laboratory settings for years. Now, following the successful completion of the first real-world operation, the scientists are planning larger clinical trials.
As for the patient himself, immediately after waking up, he regained clear, full vision that he had not experienced for the previous year. Eight weeks after the operation, his condition continues to improve every day, while his fatigue and dizziness have completely disappeared. “This technology and the doctors gave me my life back,” Rhys Hibbert said.
