KFSHRC ushers in a new era in neurosurgery: World’s first robot-assisted intracranial tumour resection performed in Riyadh

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has successfully performed the world’s first robot-assisted removal of an intracranial tumour – a historic quantum leap in robot-assisted medicine

[datensicherheit.de, 10|23|2025] In Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has successfully performed the world’s first robot-assisted resection of an intracranial (i.e. inside the skull) tumour – a historic quantum leap for robot-assisted medicine, setting a new global standard for precision and recovery in neurosurgery.

photo: KFSHRC

KFSHRC surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted resection of an intracranial tumour

KFSHRC was able to discharge the patient after just 24 hours

The procedure was performed on a 68-year-old patient who suffered from severe headaches and concentration problems. “A 4.5-centimetre brain tumour was removed with the help of robotic arms.“

• The patient was discharged after just 24 hours, fully conscious – a recovery time almost four times faster than with conventional neurosurgical procedures.

According to the clinic’s management, this robot-assisted tumour resection helped to minimise the trauma of the operation and speed up recovery.

One-hour operation at KFSHRC using robotic arms controlled by an optical 3D system

According to the surgeon, Dr Homoud Aldahash, KFSHRC specialist in skull base tumours, the robotic system enabled outstanding precision and control, allowing surgeons to navigate critical neurovascular structures with a high degree of safety.

• “The fact that the patient was able to be discharged on the same day, fully conscious and without complications, represents a new innovative benchmark in neurosurgery,“ Aldahash emphasises.

The one-hour operation involved the use of robotic arms controlled by an optical 3D system, which provided the surgeons with a clear and magnified view of the brain. The use of advanced image-guided navigation technology ensured the precise removal of the tumour while sparing vital areas of the brain.

Innovation and patient-centred care to shape the future of healthcare

KFSHRC CEO Dr Majid Alfayyadh linked this milestone to the hospital’s current development trajectory: “This achievement reflects the growing importance of the KFSHRC in shaping the future of global medicine.“

• This is perfectly in line with its vision that innovation and patient-centred care will determine the future of healthcare.

Until the introduction of robot-assisted neurosurgery, similar procedures had to be performed manually under a surgical microscope, where a steady hand and a keen eye were crucial for precision. Robot systems now offer improved instrument stability, tremor filtration and excellent visualisation, redefining global standards for safety and precision in neurosurgical care.

Another milestone in the KFSHRC success story in the field of robot-assisted surgery

This groundbreaking procedure is another milestone in the KFSHRC’s success story in the field of robot-assisted surgery. The centre has already performed the world’s first robot-assisted heart and liver transplants, earning the KFSHRC international recognition and cementing its position as one of the world’s leading centres for robot-assisted and minimally invasive surgery.

• With automation and precision-guided surgery finding their way into healthcare systems around the world, the KFSHRC’s latest success confirms that the centre has become a global pioneer in next-generation medical innovation.

The KFSHRC has been ranked as the best hospital in the Middle East and Africa and 15th among the 250 best academic medical centres worldwide in 2025. “It has also been named the most valuable healthcare brand in the Middle East by Brand Finance 2025 and listed by ‘Newsweek’ among the ‘World’s Best Hospitals 2025‘, ‘Best Smart Hospitals 2026‘ and ‘Best Specialised Hospitals 2026‘, reaffirming its position as a world-leading centre for innovation-driven patient care.“

Further information on this topic:

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
KFSH&RC is a leading healthcare, research, and education institution recognized throughout Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Established in 1975, the hospital is committed to providing world-class medical care and continuously advancing healthcare standards within the Kingdom.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
CEO Message / H.E. Dr. Majid Ibrahim Alfayyadh, MD, MMM

Linkedin
Homoud AlDahash / Consultant Neurosurgeon at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (Gen. Org.)

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