Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust has become the first in Surrey to use a biodegradable stent.

It was used on a patient with a post-surgical bile leak, eliminating the need for follow-up surgery.

Patients usually require a second procedure to remove standard stents, but the new biodegradable version is naturally absorbed by the body.

Surgeon Mr Neville Menezes, who performed the procedure, noted better patient experience and fewer complications.