Washington, D.C. ? Laura Bush will undergo surgery today to relieve pain from pinched nerves in her neck, her press secretary said Friday.

The problem prevented the first lady from accompanying President Bush to Australia this week for the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Sydney.

Spokeswoman Sally McDonough said Mrs. Bush was having elective outpatient surgery. She said the physician would use a minimally invasive procedure to take pressure off the nerve.