London surgeons use AI system to guide pituitary tumor removal, preserving patient's vision
Neurosurgeons at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London used an AI tool during a May operation to remove a large pituitary tumor from 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert. The system, trained on hundreds of past surgical videos, analyzed live footage to highlight nearby nerves and blood vessels in real time, helping surgeons avoid damaging critical structures. Hibbert regained clear eyesight after the procedure, having previously needed glasses and walking aids.
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Pituitary surgery is notoriously risky because the gland sits near optic nerves and major arteries, where a millimeter's error can cause blindness or stroke. This case shows AI can act as a real-time safety layer during delicate operations without taking control from human surgeons, potentially reducing complication rates as such tools become more widely trained and adopted.
- AI flagged nerves and vessels live during a pituitary tumor removal at a London hospital.
- The tool was trained on hundreds of manually annotated surgical videos.
- The patient regained full eyesight and mobility after surgeons remained fully in control throughout.
The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge — If a story about AI-guided brain surgery sparks your curiosity, this classic on neuroplasticity is a great next read. Doidge tells vivid stories of how the brain adapts and recovers, giving context to the delicate structures surgeons work around.
See The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: futurism.com — Frank Landymore, 2026-08-29
Published there as: “Doctors Just Used AI to Perform Brain Surgery”
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