Girl has tonsils op live on net

THE parents of a seven-year-old girl whose tonsils were taken out live on the internet yesterday said they were delighted with the operation.

Jessica McNeal, from Shadsworth in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, had her tonsils removed at Blackburn Royal Infirmary in a controversial new procedure.

Consultant surgeon Michael Timms took less than 10 minutes to perform the coblation tonsillectomy, with a worldwide audience watching online. Ninety minutes later, Jessica, who has had tonsil problems for three years, was eating and drinking in the recovery ward.

Mother Sharon McNeal, aged 31, said: “I feel happy for Jessica. She is wide awake, drinking and smiling. It is brilliant. Nobody should be concerned about this operation.”

The operation was broadcast on www.or-live.com/blackburninfirmaryhospital/1203/ at 10am.

Mr Timms, of the East Lancashire NHS Trust, has pioneered the coblation tonsillectomy since 2000.

It is said to be less painful for the patient and to have a shorter recovery time. It also reduces bleeding and damage to healthy tissue.

Mr Timms said: “The old method was cut and burn. There was a lot of blood and it was very painful for the patient.

“This procedure is done by electronically turning salt water into a plasma cloud and it is that which dissolves the tissue.”