Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for the last three months, was to undergo surgery on Tuesday to restore part of his skull which had been removed by surgeons.
Ron Krumer, a spokesperson for Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital, said the operation did not indicate a worsening in the premier’s condition and that the 78-year-old remains ”serious but stable”.
The procedure will involve restoring part of Sharon’s skull which was removed in the initial bout of surgery he underwent in the immediate aftermath of his massive brain haemorrhage on January 4.
Sharon was then induced into a coma by surgeons but he has still to regain consciousness despite initial responding to pain stimulus tests.
The operation comes as Israeli doctors prepare long-term care plans for Sharon.
Krumer said last week no final decision had been taken but discussions were continuing on where the premier would have to reside in the future.
Sharon’s old deputy Ehud Olmert has been heading the government in Sharon’s absence and is set to be tasked with the role on a permanent basis after their centrist Kadima party won most seats in last week’s general election.
While he is still classified as ”temporarily incapacitated”, Israel’s Cabinet is expected to pronounce Sharon as permanently incapacitated at this coming Sunday’s meeting. Olmert will then be officially declared head of government in a decision coming into effect on April 14. ‒ Sapa-AFP