Surgeons perform brain aneurysm surgery via eye socket in UK first in 'significant step forward'

A grandfather from Leeds has made medical history after surgeons operated on his brain through his eye socket – a first for the UK.

Andrew Wood, 61, underwent the pioneering procedure in February at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust after doctors discovered a brain aneurysm.

Normally, this would mean a craniotomy – where part of the skull is removed using drills and surgical saws to reach the swollen blood vessel.

But the Leeds team took a completely different approach, performing keyhole surgery via Wood's eye socket instead.

It's a breakthrough that spared him from having his skull cut open entirely.

Consultant neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh explained that this approach meant "we could directly access the aneurysm without even having to touch the brain".

The technique also dramatically cut the risk of life-threatening complications.

How did they do it?

The surgeons made a tiny cut at the side of Wood's eye, then carefully opened the outer wall of his eye socket while keeping his eyeball safely protected throughout.

Before the big day, the team practised on a 3D model of Wood's skull to perfect their approach.

The goal was clipping – placing a small metal clip at the aneurysm's base to stop it from bursting and potentially causing a stroke.

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While patients typically spend around a week in hospital after this kind of brain surgery, he was home after just one night.

His aneurysm had actually been spotted last spring during scans for a separate medical issue – so the discovery came as quite a surprise.

By May, he was back at work in the building trade, feeling himself completely again.

There's been no double vision, no pain, nothing to suggest he'd just had brain surgery at all.

The only thing he needs to watch out for now? Not accidentally hitting himself with a two-by-four on the job.

Wood recalled the surprisingly simple test doctors gave him before discharge: "I was asked to make some toast and a cup of tea to make sure my faculties were OK I had another quick scan, and then they asked if I wanted to go home."

He's full of praise for the medical team: "I'm really grateful for their kindness and expertise – they are an outstanding team. I'm proud to have been part of such an important procedure, and I'm amazed at how quickly I recovered and returned home."

Sheikh described the operation as a "significant step forward in minimally invasive brain surgery in the UK", noting that Wood received "the best of both worlds" – a lasting cure without the downsides of major incisions and scarring.