KEY POINTS:
A British surgeon has removed a brain tumour from a Ukrainian patient using a $70 Bosch hand drill and just a local anaesthetic.
Dr Henry Marsh used a 9.6 volt Bosch drill to perform the operation on Marian Dolishny, instead of the $65,000 compressed air medical drill which would normally be used, the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.
Dr Marsh said the fact the patient was conscious was helpful because he could talk to Ms Dolishny and make sure he wasn't doing any brain damage.
"I'm not recommending that we should all use Bosch do-it-yourself drills in England, but it shows how with improvisation you can achieve a lot," he told the Daily Telegraph.
Dr Marsh has been travelling to the Ukraine twice a year for 15 years to voluntarily help patients who can't receive the neurological care they require in their home country.
During the operation to remove Ms Dolishny's tumour he revealed the power ran out.
But he said the operation was a success.
"I couldn't bear to stand by and do nothing. A Ukrainian doctor told me I couldn't do anything to help but I wasn't prepared to accept that."
The operation was caught on film for a BBC2 documentary into Mr Marsh's exploits, called The English Surgeon.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
