The world’s first patient to undergo brain surgery with live artificial intelligence assistance has had his tumour successfully removed, the BBC reported.
Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old father of two from Bedfordshire, underwent the pioneering procedure at University College London Hospital. Surgeons said he could have lost his sight as the tumour was pressing on his optic nerves.
The AI system analysed a live video feed during the operation and identified the likely location of crucial blood vessels and nerves, helping surgeons determine the safest areas from which to remove the tumour.
Hibbert had an 11mm non-cancerous tumour on his pituitary gland, which sits close to the carotid arteries and optic nerves. His peripheral vision had begun to narrow, while he also suffered from fatigue and dizziness.
The operation was performed through the nose using an endoscope. The tumour was partly hidden behind bone and a tough membrane, making it difficult for surgeons to identify the safest route for removal.
The experimental AI tool, described as being similar to a “surgical ChatGPT”, tracked surgical instruments and highlighted important anatomical structures on a second screen in real time.
Prof Hani Marcus, one of the surgeons, said the system had been trained using hundreds of videos of pituitary tumour operations and could act as an “expert second pair of eyes”.
However, the surgeons retained full control of the procedure. The research team, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Google, now plans a larger clinical trial. Hibbert said his vision had improved significantly after the operation. “It’s given me my life back,” he told the BBC.
