Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death S01E03 - Episode 3

Pratyush prepares himself for what he hopes will be a life-changing surgery. A fast-growing tumour is pressing on his brain stem, threatening his hearing and making it difficult for him to walk. If surgeons don't operate soon, his tumour could potentially push him into a coma, before ultimately killing him.

It's a massive challenge for consultants, Mr Monkhouse and Mr Kay, who know that while the tumour is benign, its size makes it one of the biggest that they have encountered. The operation is complex as the pathway to the tumour site is very small and surrounded by a network of vital vessels. Removing the tumour without damaging anything will take incredible skill and one wrong move could cause a life-threatening cardiac arrest.

There is also a sense of urgency for Mariella. She has a recurring bowel cancer and an extraordinary operation is needed to save her life. Surgeons Mr Youssef and Mr Shariff will first have to remove the tumours before performing a ground-breaking procedure where a heated chemotherapy wash is poured into her body in an attempt to kill any lurking microscopic cancer cells and prolong her life.

Finally, over in the Major Trauma Centre, a 22-year-old male is rushed in, having suffered potentially life-changing stab wounds to both his hand and leg. Hurrying him through to surgery to try and preserve as much of the movement in both limbs as they possibly can, surgeons find that once their patient is on the table, the injuries are more extensive than they had previously thought. The race is on to try and avoid life-long pain or loss of movement for their young patient.