On Monday WITN got a first hand look at the first surgery at Onslow Memorial hospital’s new emergency room and surgical pavilion.

The new 93-thousand, 44 million dollar facility recently opened. On Monday the ever first patient was a Camp Lejeune marine, who was having shrapnel removed from his leg. Sergeant Richard Muston has been living with the metal in his leg for over 4 years, an injury from the war in Iraq. Surgeons tell us the surgery could take any where from 15 minutes to two hours, depending upon where the shrapnel is situated. For Muston, he is just ready to start feeling better.

Hospital officials say the surgery went well and took just over an hour. Dr. Mcclurg expects Sergeant Muston to make a full speedy recovery.