A team of surgeons from the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) successfully removed a 2.5cm brain tumour through the eye socket of a patient in November 2025, marking the first use of this minimally invasive technique in Singapore for tumour removal [1, 2, 3].
The patient, 38-year-old Teong Wen Han, a learning and development manager, discovered the tumour after suffering a seizure while driving on October 9, 2025, causing a crash on the Central Expressway near Bishan [1, 2, 3]. Teong recalled, "The last thing I remembered was passing some fruits to my parents before starting my journey. I regained consciousness at the hospital with my neck in a brace and I was lying on a spinal board" [1]. Prior to the seizure, he experienced mild morning headaches which he attributed to lack of caffeine [1]. He said, "I always thought it was because of the lack of caffeine" [1].
The tumour was located behind his right eye, growing from the protective layer covering the brain near sensitive structures including the optic nerve, blood vessels, and the cranial nerve responsible for eyeball movement. NNI neurosurgeon Jensen Ang explained, "Due to its location, it was more difficult to reach because it is at the base of the skull and the brain is on top of it. It was also quite close to the optic nerve, as well as some of the blood vessels, and the cranial nerve that controls the eyeball movement" [1].
Traditional open skull surgery posed high risks due to the tumour’s position. Surgeons instead used the Trans Orbital Neuro-Endoscopic Surgery (TONES) technique, which offers safer access through the eye socket, results in better cosmetic outcomes, and allows faster recovery [1, 2, 3]. The procedure lasted eight hours, after which Teong was discharged from the hospital after three days [1, 2, 3].
