Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in stable but serious condition after undergoing five hours of emergency surgery on Friday to alleviate pressure in his brain and stop new bleeding.
The director of Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital, Doctor Shlomo Mor-Yosef, told reporters the pressure on Mr. Sharon's brain was reduced and some blood clots were drained. He said the 77-year-old leader has no active hemorrhaging and that his brain pressure is normal.
Following surgery, the Israeli leader underwent a CT scan, and neurologists say there has been significant improvement from when he arrived at the hospital Wednesday evening after suffering a massive stroke.
Dr. Mor-Yosef said the prime minister will be monitored in the neurosurgical intensive care unit, and that despite some improvement, he remains in critical condition.
Mr. Sharon has been in a medically induced coma since doctors stemmed bleeding in his brain Thursday to relieve pressure caused by a massive stroke. He suffered a minor stroke in December, and had been scheduled to undergo a procedure Thursday to plug a tiny hole in his heart that doctors diagnosed during his recovery last month.
Mr. Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, has taken over as acting prime minister.
The director of Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital, Doctor Shlomo Mor-Yosef, told reporters the pressure on Mr. Sharon's brain was reduced and some blood clots were drained. He said the 77-year-old leader has no active hemorrhaging and that his brain pressure is normal.
Following surgery, the Israeli leader underwent a CT scan, and neurologists say there has been significant improvement from when he arrived at the hospital Wednesday evening after suffering a massive stroke.
Dr. Mor-Yosef said the prime minister will be monitored in the neurosurgical intensive care unit, and that despite some improvement, he remains in critical condition.
Mr. Sharon has been in a medically induced coma since doctors stemmed bleeding in his brain Thursday to relieve pressure caused by a massive stroke. He suffered a minor stroke in December, and had been scheduled to undergo a procedure Thursday to plug a tiny hole in his heart that doctors diagnosed during his recovery last month.
Mr. Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, has taken over as acting prime minister.