‘Medics Remove Tumour With Keyhole Eye Surgery’
Surgeons in the United Kingdom have successfully performed a groundbreaking medical procedure to remove a brain tumour using keyhole surgery through a patient’s eye socket. This innovative technique, known as the endoscopic trans-orbital approach, offers new hope to patients with previously inoperable tumours.
The procedure was performed on Ruvimbo Kaviya, a 40-year-old nurse from Leeds, who became the first person in the UK to undergo this type of surgery to remove a tumour located in the cavernous sinus. This area beneath the brain and behind the eyes has historically posed significant challenges for surgeons due to its delicate and hard-to-reach nature.
Before this advancement, removing such tumours required complex surgical procedures involving large incisions, removal of portions of the skull, and displacement of brain tissue. These traditional methods often carried risks of severe complications such as seizures and prolonged recovery times. In contrast, the endoscopic trans-orbital technique minimizes trauma and recovery time, with Kaviya walking shortly after the three-hour procedure.
Kaviya was diagnosed with a meningioma in 2023 after experiencing debilitating headaches, facial pain, and other symptoms. Following consultations with experts in Spain, it was determined that she was an ideal candidate for the innovative surgery. The procedure took place in February 2024 at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, led by a multidisciplinary team including neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh and maxillofacial surgeon Jiten Parmar.
Parmar developed a unique modification for the procedure, allowing surgeons to access the tumour by removing a small section of the outer eye socket. This adaptation provided surgeons with direct access to the affected area without exerting unnecessary pressure on the brain. The team extensively rehearsed the surgery using 3D models and cadaver simulations to ensure precision and safety.
Kaviya, now fully recovered, describes the experience as transformative. She returned home within days of the procedure and resumed her work as a stroke rehabilitation nurse shortly after. Apart from minor temporary side effects, including double vision, she has not experienced any lasting complications.
The success of this operation has set a new standard for treating challenging tumours and opened doors for further innovations in minimally invasive brain surgery. The team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals plans to continue refining the technique and expanding its application to help more patients with inoperable conditions.
