Far from making his fortune from the classic board game, creator John Spinello got paid very little. Now he needs expensive surgery himself, he hopes fans will help him to raise money for it

Why the inventor of Operation is having to crowdfund his own operation

Name: Operation.

Age: 49.

Appearance: Distressed, insufficiently anaesthetised patient awaiting surgery under suboptimal conditions.

Sounds terrifying. It’s only a game, mate.

A game about inflicting unnecessary pain? Yeah, you know: “Remove funny bone – ZZZZZZT!”

I see – we’re talking about Operation, the classic board game with the electrified tweezers, the cartoon patient, the amusingly shaped body parts and two to four incompetent child doctors. Strictly speaking, we’re talking about its creator, 77-year old John Spinello.

What about him? He’s in desperate need of oral surgery that he can’t afford.

Hang on – the inventor of Operation needs an operation? You should move into headline writing – you’d be good at it.

How come he can’t afford surgery? He must be rich. Spinello came up with the game in the 1960s while still at the University of Illinois, and was paid just $500 for it. He estimates that the game has earned others about $40m over the years.

And how much will his dental work cost? About$25K.

ZZZZZT! That’s a lot of money. It certainly is, especially when you consider that in the original Operation game successful knee surgery earned the doctor just $200. Spinello doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover the cost of his procedure.

Another shocking indictment of the US healthcare system. “I prefer not to dwell on that aspect,” said Spinello, “and focus more on the joy the game has brought to many over the years.”

A commendable attitude, but it won’t fix his teeth. It might. He’s crowdfunding his operation.

He’s what? He’s set up a campaign on the Crowdrise website to raise funds from the public to pay his medical bills.

And it’s working? He’s already raised half of what he needs. He’s also selling autographed copies of the game, and plans to auction off the original prototype in December.

What if he earns more than he needs? Perhaps he’ll have some spare ribs removed, or get that wrenched ankle seen to.

Do say: “If you ever loved the game Operation, please join Operation Operation Inventor Needs Operation.”

Don’t say: “Are you experiencing any discomfort, Mr Spinello? Your nose keeps lighting up.”