SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- A man in California has become the world's first person to have his appendix taken out through his mouth, according to surgeons.

The procedure, which could revolutionize the field of surgery, took place at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center.

Doctors were videotaped placing a robotic tube, surgical instruments and a fiber-optic camera down Jeff Scholz's throat to "fish" out his appendix.

The surgery took less and an hour and required no incisions, no scars and virtually no pain.

The procedure was part of a clinical trial but officials said one day, it could be the way all appendectomies are performed.

Dr. Santiago Horgan led the team that performed the procedure.

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