It’s Wednesday, which means viewers of the brilliant series Surgeons: At the Edge of Life, will be treated to another captivating episode on BBC Two this evening at 9pm.
Tonight sees the fourth of six episodes, and is entitled simply: Hope.
In the 34,000 operations we perform each year, that’s exactly what we offer many of our patients – hope of recovery, hope of a brighter future.
In this episode we meet maxillofacial consultant Sanjay Sharma, tackling the challenging case of sixty-seven-year-old Sue. After a rare complication from radiotherapy left her jaw crumbling, Sanjay and three surgeons embark on an extensive jaw reconstruction, including a new blood supply. But when problems develop with the blood flow, Sue’s reconstruction hangs in the balance.
Meanwhile, professor Tim Underwood, who specialises in gastrointestinal surgeries, faces a complex oesophagectomy for 67-year-old Monique, who is battling advanced oesophageal cancer. The procedure involves repurposing part of her stomach to create a new swallowing tube. With the cancer entangled near critical blood vessels and the heart's membrane, Tim's precision is crucial.
Tune in to see these life-changing surgeries unfold on Surgeons: At The Edge Of Life. Watch on BBC Two at 9pm or alternatively catch up via BBC iPlayer.