CNN – Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen and remain in a Rome hospital for several days, the Vatican said on Wednesday in the latest health concern for the 86-year-old pontiff.
The pope was forced to cancel several work commitments in late May after he was debilitated by a fever, and he was hospitalized in March for bronchitis but responded well to antibiotics.
Leaving hospital on that occasion, Francis joked that he’s “still alive.”
Technically called a laparotomy, Wednesday’s procedure involves general anesthesia and is intended to repair a hernia that the Vatican said is causing “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms.
According to medical sources, the intervention is likely related to the surgery Francis experienced in 2021 to remove half of his colon.
The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, added the pope is expected to make a “full functional recovery.”
In addition to his colon surgery two years ago, Francis had part of one lung removed after a severe bout of pneumonia as a young man … READ MORE.
What is laparotomy?
- A laparotomy is a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.
- A laparotomy is performed to examine the abdominal organs and aid diagnosis of any problems.
- Possible complications include infection and the formation of scar tissue within the abdominal cavity. | SOURCE
