A high-risk, ground-breaking procedure at Royal Papworth Hospital is set to feature on a prime-time documentary.

Wonders of the Human Body, hosted by the late Dr Michael Mosley, will air its final instalment on Thursday, September 5 at 8pm.

The show will spotlight a pulmonary endarterectomy, an intricate operation performed only at Royal Papworth Hospital in the UK.

This mesmerising procedure entails clearing the lungs' blood vessels of clot and scar material.

During the operation, all blood is drained from the patient's body, demanding them to be cooled to 20°C, nearly half the usual body temperature, to protect the brain and other vital organs.

Unique lung surgery at Royal Papworth detailed in upcoming documentary Unique lung surgery at Royal Papworth detailed in upcoming documentary (Image: Submitted)

The operation in the documentary was carried out on Clifford Young, a 65-year-old Bristol man suffering from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). After hospital admission due to breathlessness, doctors discovered clots in arteries on both sides of his lungs.

The televised surgery was his only hope of preventing heart failure.

The remarkable surgery was led by consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Mr David Jenkins.

Mr Jenkins said: “We are very grateful to Clifford for his permission for the filming which allows us to showcase not just the incredible life-saving work that takes place at Royal Papworth, but also to publicise this relatively rare, but treatable disease – CTEPH.

Medical series reveals intricate lung surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital Medical series reveals intricate lung surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital (Image: Submitted)

“A pulmonary endarterectomy is one of surgery’s more technically demanding operations where the aim is to physically clear these obstructions in the lungs to reopen the arteries.

“To achieve this the patient’s body is cooled to just 20 degrees.”

Astonishingly, the patient is technically 'dead' on the theatre table as surgeons have only 20 minutes to remove the clots from one lung before they must restore blood flow.

“In a large proportion of patients who undergo this operation, their level of activity, quality of life and life expectancy are significantly improved.” added Mr Jenkins.