Scar-free operations could soon be a reality for many patients thanks to a new surgical technique pioneered by 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 step forward in surgical procedures, requiring four or five small holes in the body. This new surgical technique 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 laporoscopes – 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.