(VIDEO) Nation breathes sigh of relief: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition is critical but stable and at this time there is no immediate danger to his life, Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital Director Shlomo Mor Yosef told reporters Saturday afternoon.
Mor Yosef briefs reporters Saturday (Footage: Channel 2)
Sharon was rushed into surgery after his condition deteriorated overnight. Saturday morning, doctors said the prime minister's life was in immediate danger.
The PM was rushed into surgery around 11 a.m. Saturday. During the operation, which lasted about four hours, doctors removed about one third of Sharon's large intestine, Mor Yosef said.
Following the surgery the prime minister's advisors sounded more optimistic and said "the situation looks less severe at this time." Sharon's son Omri, as well as the prime minister's aides, rushed to the hospital Saturday morning after receiving word of the deterioration in Sharon's condition.
"Thank God, the situation right now looks much better than it did in the morning," one of Sharon's close aides said. "At first it looked like the worst was to come. The hospital estimated there's a good chance he won't make it. But during the surgery, and certainly right now, we are much more relaxed. The smiles are back on our faces."
'Sharon's major problem - coma'
Mor Yosef told reporters the decision to operate on Sharon was taken following consultations with the prime minister's two sons, Omri and Gilad.
"The surgery proceeded with no complications. There was no change in the prime minister's parameters," the hospital director said. "At the end of the operation he was transferred to the general intensive care unit, because in the coming days his main problem is the large intestine and stomach."
However, Mor Yosef stressed the major problem afflicting the prime minister is the ongoing coma, not the latest stomach complications.
"The problem discovered overnight comes on top of the major problem," he said. "In the past week to 10 days there has been no change at all on this front (the coma.)"
Addressing a question regarding the implications of the large intestine's partial removal, Mor Yosef characterized it as a routine procedure.
"It's not an unusual procedure," he said. "Patients go back to normal functioning following such surgery. Yet the prime minister's major problem is his unconsciousness, not his intestines."
Regarding Sharon's prospects for recovery, Mor Yosef said: "As you know, the behavior of the brain is still a mystery, both to you and to us. With every passing day, of course the chances become slimmer."
Hadassah said Sunday morning that Sharon’s condition has stabilized following Saturday's operation, adding that he remains in very serious condition.
Ronny Sofer contributed to the story
First published: 17:26, 02.11.6