Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, underwent a second phrenic nerve block procedure on Monday to address persistent hiccups. His medical team reported the treatment was successful and his condition is stable.

Bolsonaro, currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for attempting to overturn the 2022 election, was temporarily released from prison to undergo hernia repair surgery on Christmas Eve. He received judicial permission for the hospital visit. While the hernia surgery was successful, the hiccups persisted, prompting the phrenic nerve block.

The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm, the primary muscle involved in breathing. A phrenic nerve block is a minimally invasive procedure designed to interrupt nerve signals that may be causing the hiccups. The initial procedure, performed on Saturday, targeted the phrenic nerve on the right side.

Bolsonaro's imprisonment stems from his alleged involvement in a coup attempt following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. He has consistently denied the charges. His legal team has argued that his health issues warrant consideration for alternative forms of incarceration.

The former president will remain under medical observation following the second procedure. His return to prison will be determined by his medical team and the courts.