Surgeons: A Matter Of Life Or Death | Series 3 Preview (5)

In this remarkable first episode, we meet an ex-soldier and his surgeon, whose unique relationship began over a decade ago after a tragic incident in war-torn Afghanistan.

Luke was only a few weeks into his first tour when he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The explosion left him in a critical condition. Thanks to the work of the Camp Bastion surgeons who amputated both of his legs back to his pelvis, Luke’s life was saved. But he was left with almost unbearable nerve pain in both of his stumps, which at times has made him suicidal.

Col Mark Foster - a plastic surgeon who has operated numerous times on Luke over the last decade - and nerve surgeon Sam George are going to attempt a groundbreaking procedure. Their aim is to find the nerve ends that are causing Luke so much pain, plumb them into muscles in his stump in the hope that this will stop the intractable pain which has destroyed Luke’s life.

However, on the day of the operation, there’s a problem. Luke’s heart, which was compromised after his accident, begins to show signs of stress as anesthetists begin to sedate him.

Now surgeons face an unbearable choice: should they abandon the procedure knowing that they are effectively committing Luke to a lifetime of pain, or continue with the very real threat that Luke’s heart will stop and he will lose his life in front of them on the operating table?

Across the hospital, ex-chef Julian has been walking around with a ticking time bomb in his mouth. He has a particularly invasive cancer on the back of his tongue which has returned and now it’s more aggressive than ever. Without radical surgery, the cancer will spread quickly and kill Julian.

The tumour must be removed and fast. But it’s a complex and risky procedure for maxillofacial surgeon, Tim Martin. Because of the position of the tumour, Tim must make an incision from Julian’s lip down to his chin and then crack open his jaw and bend it back like a door. Can the surgical team remove the tumour safely while rebuilding his face and preserving Julian’s ability to taste?

Surgeons: A Matter Of Life Or Death returns Wednesday 7th January on 5.