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Surgeons operate again on Sen. Kirk

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Illinois

* Sen. Mark Kirk underwent a second surgery last night. From the Sun-Times…

Dr. Richard Fessler said doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital removed two small pieces of brain tissue that were destroyed by the stroke.

Fessler said Wednesday’s surgical procedure is commonly performed in similar cases and meant to create more space around the brain to accommodate “the expected peak of swelling.

“The procedure — which removed two small pieces of tissue previously destroyed and rendered non-functional by the senator’s stroke — was completed successfully and without complication. The procedure is unlikely to have any impact on his physical or neurological prognosis.”

Fessler said that, on Thursday morning, the Republican from Highland Park “was alert, responsive and gave us the thumbs-up on request,”

* Lynn Sweet has the full statement…

“Senator Kirk continues to progress as expected and remains in serious but stable condition this morning with no change in his neurological or physical prognosis. Late yesterday, we performed a common surgical procedure to create more space around the Senator’s brain in order to accommodate the expected peaking of swelling. The procedure, which removed two small pieces of tissue previously destroyed and rendered non-functional by the Senator’s stroke, was completed successfully and without complication. The procedure is unlikely to have any impact on his physical or neurological prognosis. Upon examination this morning, the Senator was alert, responsive and gave us the thumbs up on request,” said Richard Fessler, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and professor of neurological surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Don’t panic or worry too much. These things can happen. It’s best to just let the docs do their work. Northwestern is a fine hospital and they know what they’re doing. And while the growing speculation in the press about Kirk’s future in the Senate is expected, it’s way too premature. Let him have a little space, for crying out loud.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 26, 12 @ 12:16 pm

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