Life-changing open-heart surgery begins from the moment the chest is opened and the heart is stopped, right through as a new aortic valve is implanted and the heart is restarted.

A landmark event, for the first time on Australian TV, audiences go inside a legitimate operating room as actual surgery happens live.

After removing a kidney from the patient's father, surgeons transplant the organ to the patient who has suffered end-stage kidney failure, live and in riveting real-time.

An 18-year-old born with scoliosis has her 60-degree spinal curvature straightened in a delicate, precision-perfect procedure in which the surgeon attaches screws and rods along the entire length of the spine.