Viewers have praised surgeons after they performed a kidney transplant on Channel 5's Operation Live so that a dad could save his son.
A kidney transplant. On live TV. Wow.
The show saw father Daniel donate one of his kidneys to his 33-year-old son Eugene, who suffers from Lupus. The long term condition affects the immune system and has sadly resulted in kidney failure for Eugene.
Daniel's kidney was take out before the live show, which took place at Royal London Hospital. The two-and-a-half-hour operation showed Eugene receiving the organ.
Viewers had a close up view of the operation, with cameras showing the internal procedure as well as the surgeons performing it.
Scottish presenter Nicky Campbell hosted the show, alongside an expert who explained what the surgeons were doing as they went along.
Eugene, who is married with a three-year-old son, has a dialysis machine set up in his bedroom. The machine essentially cleans his blood, as his kidneys could no longer do it.
Speaking on the show, he said: "I can't wait to get rid of this machine because, although it is a lifesaver, it's a burden because it's restricted the kind of lifestyle I have.
"With the new kidney, I'll be able to go back to the normal lifestyle I used to have."
Viewers were amazed by the incredible work of the surgeons, as they took to Twitter to praise them and Daniel, and to encourage people to become an organ donor.
The next Operation Live will show a spine straightening on Wednesday, and live brain surgery on Thursday.
Operation Live airs on Channel 5 at 10pm this week.
Featured Image Credit: Channel 5