A 92-YEAR-OLD man has praised hospital staff after becoming one of the oldest people in the county to have pioneering heart surgery.

Norman Thorpe, a former chemistry teacher at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, underwent keyhole mitral valve surgery at the centre and is looking forward to getting back to walking the hills and fells of the county.

Whalley resident Mr Thorpe, who climbed the Three Peaks last year, said: “I have always been fit and towards the end of last year I was looking to go caravanning but felt out of breath which wasn’t like me.

“I went for a check-up at the Royal Blackburn Hospital and met my consultant Dr Balachandaran who referred me through to Mr Zacharias who put me forward for this operation in Blackpool.

“The treatment I have had has been absolutely marvellous. I couldn’t fault it and I can’t wait to get out and about again.”

The operation took place at the Lancashire Cardiac Centre.

Joe Zacharias, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, said: “We are delighted that Mr Thorpe is recovering so well and so quickly and was ready for home on the fourth day after major heart surgery.

“The least invasive way to replace the valve is through this technique known as minimally-invasive mitral surgery which is performed through a two-inch opening next to the right nipple.

“In the past, the only way to replace the valve was by cutting the breastbone down the middle to gain access to the heart, an invasive procedure which weakens the chest, and it has a long recovery time of up to three months.

“This new procedure has many benefits for patients. It reduces trauma compared with splitting open the breastbone, so patients recover quicker.

"With the conventional method they are in hospital for about six to seven days but with keyhole, it is less.

“We are very proud to say that the Lancashire Cardiac Centre is one of only three centres in the North of England to provide this operation."