A HOSPITAL in the North-East has become one of the first to carry out a new operation.

Susan Brittain underwent keyhole surgery to remove her spleen at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on Tuesday.

It was the first time the operation had been carried out on Teesside and it was believed to be a first for the North-East.

Three or four small holes are made in the skin, then a tiny telescope is inserted which transmits pictures on to a monitor so the consultant can see what he is doing.

Magdi Yassim, the consultant surgeon who carried out the operation, said: "This does have a lot of advantages. For instance, there is a big difference in operative pain. With normal surgery it can be very severe because of the amount of stitches needed, but with keyhole it is very slight."

The time needed to recover was also reduced. Following normal surgery, the patient could take about two months to recover, but Mrs Brittain is already up and about.

She is ready to go home to her husband and two children.

Mr Yassim said: "I am quite pleased to be the first to carry out this operation on Teesside. I would now like to introduce more of the complicated operations into the hospital as they significantly reduce the time a patient needs to be in hospital and help free up the beds."

Mrs Brittain said: "I didn't mind being one of the first to have this type of operation. It is just nice to be able to go home so soon."