Washington, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The surgery U.S. First Lady Laura Bush underwent to treat pinched nerves on her neck was successfully, the White House said on Saturday.

    Mrs. Bush returned home in the afternoon after a two-hour procedure in the George Washington University Hospital, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

    President George W. Bush, on his way from Sydney, Australia, to Hawaii, called his wife at the hospital and inquired about the operation.

    "He looks forward to getting back to help her in the recovery," Perino said.

    The First Lady's spokeswoman, Sally McDonough, said that the first lady would undergo elective outpatient surgery to relieve the pain off her nerves and then go home the same day.

    The problem was a reason that Mrs. Bush could not accompany the president to Sydney, to attend the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, McDonough said.

    The nerves were injured earlier this year when Mrs. Bush went hiking. Doctors advised her not to undertake travel overseas because long flights would make the problem worse.