Primetime slot for HypnoSurgery show
Channel 4 is to broadcast a live hernia operation with a patient who is under no form of anaesthetic, it was announced today
Instead the patient will be hypnotised to prevent them from feeling pain.
HypnoSurgery Live will air next month on digital channel More4.
Hosted by news presenter Sarah Smith, the two-hour primetime special is billed as a "serious scientific investigation into the possibility of using hypnosis as an alternative to anaesthetic in surgery".
Details of the hospital and patient involved have not been revealed.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "Aiming to stimulate public and professional debate about the potential benefits of the use of hypnosis, this live event will look into the possibility that hypnosis used in this way could offer wider choice to patients and potentially speed the recovery process."
The programme has been commissioned by the broadcaster's science department.
Commissioning editor Louisa Bolch said: "I'm extremely excited about the programme. It highlights our continuing commitment to using bold, staged events which examine serious science in primetime."
