The world's first patient to have brain surgery with live artificial intelligence assistance has successfully had his tumour removed. Rhys Hibbert, a father-of-two from Bedfordshire, underwent the procedure at University College London Hospital, where surgeons stated he could have lost his sight without the operation.

The AI tool analyzed a live video feed of the operation, advising surgeons on how to navigate around crucial but hidden vessels and nerves. This real-time guidance allowed the surgical team to safely remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Hibbert, 48, was diagnosed with an 11mm non-cancerous tumour growing on his pituitary gland. This marble-sized organ at the base of the skull is vital for secreting hormones and sits very close to the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, and the optic nerves controlling vision. As the tumour pressed on his optic nerves, Hibbert experienced narrowed peripheral vision, severe fatigue, and dizziness.

When offered the chance to be the first patient to try the bespoke AI tool, Hibbert readily accepted. He stated that patients must be willing to participate in research for medical progress to occur. The surgery involved inserting an endoscope through the nose to reach the base of the skull, where the tumour was located but hidden by bone and membrane.

The AI system, described as a "surgical ChatGPT," analyzed the live surgical feed and tracked instruments. It highlighted areas where vessels and nerves were likely to be, indicating the safest zones for tumour removal. This technology functions similarly to facial recognition but identifies critical anatomical structures.

Surgeons typically rely on pre-operative scans to understand a patient's unique anatomy, performing 10 to 20 such operations annually. The AI system was trained and evaluated on hundreds of videos of similar tumour removals, allowing it to recognize complex structures.

Before the AI integration, there was a 25–50% chance of not removing the entire tumour and a 0.5–2% risk of injuring a major blood vessel. The AI's ability to provide real-time anatomical guidance is seen as a significant step in improving surgical precision and patient safety.

Surgeons at University College London Hospital expressed optimism about the AI's potential, noting its ability to assist in identifying critical structures that might otherwise be difficult to discern during complex procedures. The successful outcome for Rhys Hibbert marks a potential turning point in the application of artificial intelligence within neurosurgery.