Archive · 27 Aug 2026
London Surgeons Use AI in World-First Brain Tumour Operation
Doctors in London used an artificial intelligence system during an operation to remove a brain tumour.
The operation was described as the first successful use of this kind on a patient.
The patient was a 48-year-old man named Rhys Hibbert.
He had a small tumour on his pituitary gland.
His health and eyesight were getting worse.
The AI watched live camera images and highlighted important nerves and blood vessels.
This helped the surgeons see which parts to avoid.
The doctors, not the AI, stayed in control of the operation.
Neurosurgeons at London’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery performed the world’s first successful AI-assisted brain tumour operation.
The May procedure involved 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert, who had an 11mm pituitary-gland tumour diagnosed in 2024.
Hibbert’s worsening hormone imbalance and vision problems put him at risk of losing his sight without surgery.
An AI system analysed live camera footage and used colour coding to identify nerves, blood vessels and other structures to avoid.
The surgical team remained in full control, while the system had been trained using hundreds of surgical videos.
- Who
- Neurosurgeons at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery operated on 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert.
- What
- They performed what was described as the world’s first successful AI-assisted operation to remove a brain tumour.
- When
- The operation took place in May, and details were released on Thursday, August 27, after Hibbert recovered.
- Where
- At the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- Why
- Hibbert’s pituitary tumour caused worsening hormone imbalance and vision problems, creating a risk of sight loss without surgery.
- Patient
- Rhys Hibbert, aged 48
- Tumour
- An 11mm tumour on the pituitary gland
- Operation
- World’s first successful AI-assisted brain tumour removal, according to the report
- Timing
- Surgery took place in May; details were released on August 27
- Hospital
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London
- AI function
- Analysed live camera footage and colour-coded nerves, blood vessels and other anatomical structures
- Human oversight
- The surgical team remained in full control