Surgeons

Brain (1x1)

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This week's episode looks at neurosurgery and the work of Ciaran Bolger of Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, along with Charlie Marks of Cork University Hospital. Featuring the story of 42-year-old Rose Slevin a single-mother from Newbridge, Surgeons follows Rose as she undergoes a rare and complex procedure known as an "awake" craniotomy. As Professor Bolger tries to cut out a tumour deep within her brain, Rose is deliberately woken up on the operating table. In Cork, Jim Landers, a GAA official from Co. Waterford, is operated on by Charlie Marks. Jim's brain tumour is dangerously close to a major vein, and Mr Marks has to balance the risks of the operation against Jim's chances of surviving without it. The programme also shows that waiting lists for non-emergency neurosurgery now stretch for over a year - with public and private patients faring equally.