The prime minister, hospitalized and in a coma since January 4, underwent a four-hour operation on the Sabbath during which a damaged 50-centimeter (20-inch) section of his large intestine had to be removed. Serious necrosis of the intestine was discovered during a scheduled CT scan.
Professor Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the director of Hadassah Hospital in Ein Karem, where Sharon is currently receiving treatment, told reporters that as of Saturday evening, Sharon's situation was critical, but stable, with "no immediate danger" to his life. The intestinal tract problem, however, is "taking us several steps back in his treatment," according to the director.
Prof. Mor-Yosef explained that one-third of the prime minister's large intestine had to be removed, but that the surgery itself was successful and without complication. The intestinal problem doctors treated, he said, is not unusual for comatose patients, but each passing day in a coma increases the risk for further medical deterioration. In order to monitor Sharon's recuperation from the intestinal surgery, he was moved to the general intensive care unit from the neurosurgery intensive care unit, where he had been until today.
"Sharon's central problem," Mor-Yosef said, "is unconsciousness, not the stomach problem... In the past week to ten days, there has been no change in that situation."
Professor Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the director of Hadassah Hospital in Ein Karem, where Sharon is currently receiving treatment, told reporters that as of Saturday evening, Sharon's situation was critical, but stable, with "no immediate danger" to his life. The intestinal tract problem, however, is "taking us several steps back in his treatment," according to the director.
Prof. Mor-Yosef explained that one-third of the prime minister's large intestine had to be removed, but that the surgery itself was successful and without complication. The intestinal problem doctors treated, he said, is not unusual for comatose patients, but each passing day in a coma increases the risk for further medical deterioration. In order to monitor Sharon's recuperation from the intestinal surgery, he was moved to the general intensive care unit from the neurosurgery intensive care unit, where he had been until today.
"Sharon's central problem," Mor-Yosef said, "is unconsciousness, not the stomach problem... In the past week to ten days, there has been no change in that situation."