King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh has completed the world’s first robotic intracranial tumour resection, redefining precision in neurosurgery and recovery speed.
RIYADH: In a groundbreaking global first, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has successfully conducted the world’s first robotic intracranial tumour resection, ushering in a transformative era for neurosurgery. The one-hour operation, performed on a 68-year-old patient, achieved tumour removal with unprecedented precision — and saw the patient discharged fully conscious within 24 hours.
This revolutionary surgery was carried out using robotic arms paired with a 3D optical system, offering enhanced visualisation and manoeuvrability for surgeons. It enabled delicate navigation around critical neurovascular structures while eliminating tremors — a key limitation of manual procedures.
Dr. Homoud Aldahash, Consultant of Skull Base Tumours at KFSHRC and lead surgeon, hailed the procedure as a new benchmark for neurosurgical safety and efficiency. “Using robotics gave us remarkable control and precision. The same-day recovery was a testament to how minimally invasive and effective this technology can be,” he stated.
The removed tumour measured 4.5 centimetres, and the patient’s symptoms — including severe headaches and cognitive fog — were relieved post-surgery. Traditional surgery for similar cases typically involves longer operating times and recovery periods spanning days.
CEO of KFSHRC, Dr. Majid Alfayyadh, linked the success to the hospital’s transformation mission. “This milestone reflects our leadership in next-generation healthcare,” he said. “Innovation and patient-centric care are at the core of our global vision.”
The achievement builds on KFSHRC’s track record of robotic surgical leadership, following its prior world-first robotic heart and liver transplants. It reinforces the hospital’s growing international stature as a destination for advanced, minimally invasive medicine.
KFSHRC has also earned top global accolades in 2025, including being ranked first in the MENA region and 15th globally among the world’s top academic medical centres, and was named the most valuable healthcare brand in the Middle East by Brand Finance. The hospital also appears in Newsweek’s Best Smart Hospitals and Best Specialised Hospitals global lists.
As healthcare increasingly integrates robotics and precision surgery, this robotic brain tumour resection marks a defining moment in the future of neurosurgical care — with Riyadh now firmly on the map as a global hub of medical innovation.
