It was her first hospital stay since 2002 when she was treated at the same hospital for a minor knee operation and had minor, non-cancerous lesions removed from her face.

BBC: Queen to resume official engagements after illness

The new device is inserted during a relatively minor operation and patients are out of hospital the same day.

BBC: Enlarged prostate device trialled by NHS

She was last in hospital 10 years ago for a minor knee operation.

BBC: Queen in hospital with stomach bug, Buckingham Palace says

The Queen last received treatment 10 years ago, again at the King Edward VII's hospital, for a minor knee operation.

BBC: Queen leaves hospital after stomach bug

However, a few days later it emerged that Owen had indeed had a second minor operation, tightening the screw they inserted during the original procedure.

BBC: WHEN THE INJURIES HAPPENED

The goalkeeper is currently recovering from a minor knee operation and has targeted a return for the Old Firm game at Celtic Park on 2 January.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

However, although this is significant when assessed in the light of a very minor operation, the extra risk is very small in comparison to the higher overall risk of major surgery like a heart bypass.

BBC: Heart bypass - with local anaesthetic

Mancini is already back in Italy for a minor eye operation and will probably not speak to Tevez before Friday, although his first thoughts on the situation should come at a press conference in Turin on Wednesday.

BBC: Carlos Tevez

The firm at the center of the storm, American International Group, had only a minor deposit-taking operation.

FORBES: Is Wall Street Hopelessly Conflicted?

So too has the response of the rebel leaders, who have provoked a minor backlash by setting up their own rather crude whipping operation to stiffen the resolve of waverers.

ECONOMIST: It's not tuition fees they don't like, it's Tony