A CLACTON patient became one of the first people to go under the knife in a revolutionary new surgery technique.

Jeremiah O’Donnell, of Jameson Road, became a guinea pig for the state-of-the-art technology when he had his prostate removed at Colchester General Hospital.

Urologists John Corr and Rowan Casey wore 3D glasses to carry out the surgery.

It normally includes making a small cut in the patient and threading a camera into their body, carrying out the procedure by looking at the inside of the body on a television screen.

But new technology means the body is shown in high definition on a 3D monitor.

Mr O’Donnell, 72, said: “I didn’t find out the hospital was using this new technique with me for the first time until after the surgery.

“The surgeon came to see me the day after the operation. He was very excited and said I was going to be famous.

“I’ve been told it will be a great improvement and help a lot of people."

Mr O’Donnell was diagnosed with prostate cancer three months ago after being given a blood test by his doctor.

He came through the operation well and was discharged three days later.

Surgeons say the 3D surgery will help boost accuracy and surgery outcomes.