Prince Philip recovers after operation

Stenting procedure successfully performed to remedy coronary artery block.

The Duke of Edinburgh underwent stenting procedure to successfully treat a blocked coronary artery.

The duke manifested chest pains and flown by a helicopter from the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, wherer the royal family spends Christmas, to the specialist cardiothoracic facility at Papworth hospital in Cambridgeshire, Friday night.

He underwent a successful "invasive procedure of coronary stenting".

If the duke shows signs of progress, he could be back on his feet by Christmas Day, in time for the Boxing Day shoot, which he was expected to lead.

Saturday morning, Ailsa Anderson, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace, said that the "The Duke of Edinburgh had a good night and is in good spirits but he is eager to leave.

"Tomorrow's [Sunday's] church service is going ahead as planned and we don't anticipate changes to the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations."

Dr. Simon Davies, consultant intervention cardiologist at the Royal Brompton hospital in London, said the duke showed symptoms of heart attack before the stenting procedure was performed.

"They [surgeons] have put a miniature sausage-shaped balloon down the artery, pushed the balloon into the narrowed section and then blown it up. That forces the material that is blocking the artery outwards and then gets the blood flowing down the artery again.

"The stent is like a little metal sleeve fitted over the balloon when it is blown up. This metallic sleeve is opened up and then when the balloon is deflated and withdrawn the stent stays behind."

This is by far the most serious health health threat the duke has endured. He is well-known for his robust personality and active health. For many years, he has defied old age and even on his 90^th year, he continues to perform engagements and go on tours abroad, the latest was in October when he joined the Queen for an intensive 11-day tour of Australia.

The last time the duke was admitted to hospital was in April 2008, when he was diagnosed chest infection for a number of days before getting the treatment. But despite the respiratory problem, he walked into the medical institution and walked out three days later after declared having fully recovered.

Midday Saturday, Queen Elizabeth II visited the duke driven in a Range Rover after flown by the royal helicopter to Cambridgeshire. He was accompanied by the Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, and the Princess Royal. They were followed by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who arrived by car.