Japanese-developed Eureka AI used for first time in UK bowel surgery

Surgeons at St Mark’s, the National Bowel Hospital, used the Eureka AI tool for the first time in the UK on Thursday during an operation on a patient in her 60s. The patient underwent a bowel resection at the hospital, which belongs to London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

The system projects real-time colour-coded highlights onto a screen while surgeons work with robotic or laparoscopic instruments.

Nerves appear green and connective tissue appears turquoise, allowing identification of structures that may otherwise remain hidden. The tool was developed by Japanese surgeons who trained the AI on thousands of surgical video recordings. Thursday’s procedure marked the first use of Eureka outside Japan.

Consultant surgeon Mr Kapil Sahnan said the device functions as an “extra helping arm”. He said it helps “look at your live surgery and start telling you which are the hidden structures which perhaps you can’t see”. Mr Sahnan added that the goal is to make operations safer by preventing errors before they occur.

He compared the system to navigation apps that replaced paper maps, noting the real-time aspect distinguishes it from earlier aids. The surgeon described the images as “really beautiful” with colour overlays that can remain constant or pulse. He said work is under way to measure the tool’s benefits and expand its use.

Mr Sahnan stated that widespread adoption could make surgery safer for many patients within the next couple of years.