Former president FW De Klerk was in stable condition after undergoing an operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his colon, his spokesperson Dave Steward said on Thursday.
”He is still in intensive care, but his condition is stable,” Steward said.
Thursday’s operation, his second, was carried out at Cape Town’s Panorama Medi-Clinic after he developed respiratory problems.
De Klerk underwent surgery at the clinic on Saturday to remove a tumour, which was later found to be cancerous.
The hospital said in a statement that his condition deteriorated on Wednesday because of ”respiratory complications” and he was put on a ventilator.
This inflammatory condition was occasionally seen after large invasive surgery, the hospital said.
”Today it was decided to perform a second laparotomy to eliminate the possibility of abdominal complications which can contribute to lung complications.
”During surgery no abnormalities were detected. Mr De Klerk is still being ventilated and in a stable condition in an intensive care unit,” the hospital said. – Sapa