A first-in-human case report describing the use of Apple Vision Pro during endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery.

Shanahan, Crosby, Hurt, Bhatia, Choby, Zenonos, Andrews and colleagues report the use of spatial computing to visualize the endoscopic surgical field during resection of a pituitary adenoma with transcavernous extension.

The operation was completed without reported device-related complications, postoperative imaging showed no convincing residual tumor, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 2.

Why it matters

This is an early proof-of-concept rather than evidence of clinical superiority, but it demonstrates the feasibility of integrating head-mounted spatial displays into skull-base surgery. Potential future applications include ergonomic display placement, image integration, navigation and education.

Reference

Shanahan RM, Crosby E, Hurt G, Bhatia S, Choby GW, Zenonos GA, Andrews EG, et al.
Apple Vision Pro-Enabled Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Pituitary Adenoma Resection: First In-Human Spatial Computing Skull Base Neurosurgery Case Report.
Journal of Neurological Surgery Reports. 2026;87(4):e171–e176. Published October 6, 2026.
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