Kidney patient sets record for recovery time

Published on 30/03/2006 02:32

A BRITISH woman has become the first patient in the world to have a kidney removed and go home on the same day.

Helena Joines underwent pioneering keyhole surgery rather than "open" surgery and was discharged within ten hours rather than the usual three days.

She had been suffering from kidney failure and needed to have her right kidney removed immediately.

The 35-year-old mother of two was admitted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent to have an urgent operation.

She arrived at the hospital at 8 on the morning of 24 January. She had the five-hour operation and was allowed home after four hours' recovery time.