A 61-year-old grandfather has become the first person in the United Kingdom to undergo a pioneering operation that treats a brain aneurysm through the eye socket, avoiding the need for major open surgery. Andrew Wood, a builder from Leeds, was diagnosed with a life-threatening aneurysm last spring during a scan for an unrelated condition and was stunned by the news.
Innovative technique spares major surgery
Traditionally, such aneurysms would require a craniotomy, where part of the skull is removed and the brain is moved to access the affected blood vessel. However, a team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust used a minimally invasive keyhole approach, entering through the side of Mr Wood’s eye socket. Consultant neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh explained: “This meant that we could directly access the aneurysm without even having to touch the brain.”
The procedure is a UK-first and represents a significant advance in minimally invasive brain surgery. Mr Wood was in hospital for just one night, compared to the typical week-long stay for traditional surgery. He returned to work as a builder within a few weeks of the operation in February.
Patient’s shock and gratitude
Mr Wood told the Press Association: “I was shocked. I didn’t have any symptoms whatsoever.” He praised the surgical team, saying: “I’m in the building trade so the way it was explained to me was: you can do something causing minimum damage and get the same result. I thought it was great.”
The grandfather described his recovery as perfect, with no double vision or pain. “I was in hospital for just one night. 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 added: “Thanks to the skill of the surgical team, I’ve been given a second chance.”
How the procedure works
The team made a tiny incision at the side of Mr Wood’s eye and a cut on the outer wall of the eye socket to access the aneurysm. They then placed a tiny metal clip across its base to prevent rupture, a standard treatment known as clipping. Unlike traditional clipping, this approach avoided any retraction of the brain, substantially reducing the risks and recovery time.
To prepare for the surgery, biomechanical engineers created a bespoke 3D-printed model of Mr Wood’s eye socket, skull base, and aneurysm. This allowed Mr Sheikh and consultant maxillofacial surgeon Jiten Parmar to rehearse the procedure. Custom-made 3D-printed retractors were also used to protect the eye during surgery.
A significant step forward
Mr Sheikh said: “His aneurysm happened to be in a very easily accessible area, which would have been perfect for this technique. And that means he can get the best of both worlds of the surgical treatment of his aneurysm – the best possible, durable cure while cutting down on the drawbacks of having surgery.”
Mr Parmar added: “This case highlights how working in partnership across specialities, combining decades of experience and working closely with our engineering team can result in a better outcome for our patients. Most importantly, we achieved a brilliant result for the patient who went home the next day.”
The team had previously performed a similar UK-first operation in 2024 to remove a brain tumour through a patient’s eye socket. This latest success paves the way for more patients to benefit from minimally invasive brain surgery.
