Are you interested in giving surgery a shot, but are worried about the post-operative scars? Well, if the thought of scars is keeping you away from surgery, then there is good news for you. Scar-free operations may soon become a reality for many patients, thanks to a new surgical technique pioneered by the doctors and engineers at Texas University.

The tools needed during surgery are inserted into the body either in the patient’s navel or throats. Magnets on the outside of the body then control the instruments - from snipping to stitching. Keyhole surgery was a major leap forward in surgical procedures – it required only four to five small holes in the body. But this scar-free surgical procedure can prove to be better because it involves none or one hole only and has the potential for no scarring.

Dr Jeffrey Cadeddu is the surgeon behind the pioneering idea - an idea which he claims was inspired by a TV show where he saw teenagers wearing magnetic studs on their lips so that they could avoid actually piercing themselves whilst still achieving the same look.
 
His system uses a stack of magnets outside of the abdomen area. These magnets attract the instruments within the body - instruments such as laparoscopes - so that the surgeon can see what is going on inside the body without the need for an operation. His team of surgeons have already used the technique to remove a kidney and they are working with robotic’s researchers to refine the system so that it can be fully tested on humans.