KFSHRC Performs World’s First Robotic Intracranial Tumor Resection

In a groundbreaking achievement for global healthcare, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has successfully performed the world’s first robotic intracranial tumor resection. This milestone marks a major leap in neurosurgical precision and postoperative recovery.

The surgery was conducted on a 68-year-old patient suffering from severe headaches and loss of concentration. Using robotic arms, surgeons removed a 4.5-centimeter brain tumor, completing the operation in just one hour. Remarkably, the patient was discharged fully conscious within 24 hours—a recovery time nearly four times faster than traditional brain surgeries.

Precision, Safety Through Robotic Innovation

Dr. Homoud Aldahash, Consultant of Skull Base Tumors at KFSHRC and lead surgeon for the procedure, highlighted the robotic system’s ability to deliver unprecedented precision and control. “The robotic arms allowed us to navigate delicate neurovascular structures safely,” he explained. “The patient’s same-day discharge without complications sets a new benchmark for neurosurgical innovation.”

The procedure utilized robotic arms guided by a 3D optical system, providing surgeons with a clear, magnified view of the brain. Advanced image-guided navigation technology ensured the tumor’s precise removal while protecting vital brain regions, significantly enhancing both accuracy and patient safety.

KFSHRC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Majid Alfayyadh credited the achievement to the hospital’s ongoing transformation efforts. “This accomplishment reflects KFSHRC’s growing influence in shaping the future of global medicine,” he said. “It  also aligns with our vision to combine innovation and patient-centered care in defining the next era of healthcare.”

Redefining Neurosurgical Standards

Before robotic systems, such intricate procedures relied heavily on manual techniques using surgical microscopes, where outcomes depended on human steadiness and visual clarity. Additionally, the introduction of robotic neurosurgery now offers enhanced instrument stability, tremor elimination, and superior visualization, establishing new global standards for safety and precision.

This achievement adds to KFSHRC’s expanding record of world-first robotic surgeries, including the first robotic heart transplant and first robotic liver transplant. Moreover, these milestones have earned the institution global recognition and positioned it among the world’s foremost centers for robotic and minimally invasive surgery.

Global Recognition, Leadership

KFSHRC continues to be recognized for excellence on the world stage. The hospital ranks first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for 2025. It was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in the Middle East by Brand Finance 2024 and featured in Newsweek’s lists of the World’s Best Hospitals 2025, Best Smart Hospitals 2025, and Best Specialized Hospitals 2026—further solidifying its reputation as a global leader in innovation-driven patient care.

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