A patient has had keyhole surgery to remove a kidney in what is the first operation of its kind at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Stephen Jefferson, 46, had the operation using specialist high-tech laparoscopic or keyhole equipment after his kidney was damaged by infection.
The procedure employs a tiny camera to view the kidney through a small cut.
It reduces both scarring and pain and patients usually have a faster convalescence and short hospital stay.
'Fewer complications'
The new operation - laparoscopic nephrectomy - will allow more patients to be treated at the hospital.
Currently the hospital plans to perform one operation per month, but is hoping to increase that number in the near future.
A �30,000 donation from The Men's Endoscopic Laser Foundation charity paid for the new technology.
Consultant urologist Dr Bahzad Koye, who carried out the operation, said: "This is a growing speciality in urology, a high-tech specialist operation and an exciting new development.
"It is more comfortable for patients and there are fewer complications."
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