St. Paul, MN -- (Sports Network) - Minnesota Wild defenseman Brent Burns underwent successful surgery on Thursday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.

Burns, 23, is expected to return to action in about four weeks.

A first-round pick (20th overall) of the Wild in the 2003 draft, Burns compiled 15 goals and 43 points with a plus-12 rating in 82 games last season for the Northwest division champs.

The native of Ajax, Ontario has registered 27 goals and 90 points in 267 career games for the Wild.