STORY: :: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Doctors for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had a second surgery on Thursday following his emergency operation earlier this week to relieve bleeding in his skull.
:: November 26, 2024
They said the second procedure was successful - and that the leftist leader might be able to start working again next week.
Doctor Roberto Kalil Filho:
"The procedure was carried out today, at 7 am. It was successful. It's a complement to the surgical procedure and the president is awake in the ICU, he's already eating, he's super stable. This did not delay the schedule for the next few days and depending on the president's progress, he should be discharged early next week."
Doctors operated on Lula for about two hours on Tuesday to drain bleeding between his brain and meningeal membrane.
:: October 25, 2024
They said it was linked to a fall at his home in late October.
The second procedure on Thursday was described as preventative, to minimize the risk of future bleeding.
Kalil said there have not been any complications from the surgeries.
Another doctor on Lula's team said the president's neurological exams are all normal, and he is being told not to physically or mentally overexert himself.
:: File
Lula's condition has raised doubts about the president's intention to run for re-election in 2026...
:: File
Although on Thursday his presidential spokesman told CNN Brasil that Lula would be on the ballot as the ruling Workers Party candidate.
He is currently serving a third non-consecutive term and will be 81 by the next election.
If Lula does not run, the left in Brazil would be orphaned politically as he has no heir-apparent.
