A grandfather has become the first person in the UK to undergo a pioneering brain aneurysm operation through the eye socket, sparing him from a traditional craniotomy.
Groundbreaking procedure
Andrew Wood, a 61-year-old builder from Leeds, was shocked to discover he had a brain aneurysm—a swelling in a blood vessel that can be fatal if it bursts. Typically, such cases require a craniotomy, where part of the skull is removed and the brain is moved to access the affected area. However, surgeons at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust used a minimally invasive technique through the eye socket.
Consultant neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh explained: "This meant we could directly access the aneurysm without even having to touch the brain." The procedure involved a tiny incision beside the eye and a cut on the outer wall of the eye socket.
Rapid recovery
Mr Wood was in hospital for just one night, compared to the usual week-long stay. He returned to work in May, only a few weeks after the February operation. "I was shocked. I didn't have any symptoms whatsoever," he said. "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."
Preparation and teamwork
To prepare, biomechanical engineers created a bespoke 3D-printed model of Mr Wood's eye socket and skull base, allowing the surgical team to rehearse. Custom-made 3D-printed retractors protected the eye during surgery. Mr Sheikh noted: "That meant we weren't pushing on the eyeball. And that created the corridor which allowed us to access the aneurysm."
The team previously performed a similar UK-first in 2024, removing a brain tumour through the eye socket. Mr Sheikh described the aneurysm operation as a "significant step forward in minimally invasive brain surgery in the UK."
Patient's gratitude
Mr Wood expressed his thanks: "Thanks to the skill of the surgical team, I've been given a second chance. 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."
