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. He has been hospitalized since Christmas Eve, having received judicial permission for the medical leave. The hernia surgery was deemed successful. However, the persistent hiccups, which have plagued him for months, prompted doctors to perform a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure on Saturday to block the phrenic nerve on the right side.
The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm, the primary muscle involved in breathing. Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, often caused by irritation or stimulation of the phrenic nerve. A phrenic nerve block involves injecting a local anesthetic near the nerve to temporarily stop its function, thus halting the hiccups.
This is not the first time Bolsonaro has sought treatment for hiccups. In 2021, while still president, he experienced a prolonged bout of hiccups that led to speculation about his health. At the time, his team attributed the hiccups to complications from dental surgery.
The judicial permission granted for Bolsonaro's medical treatment highlights the balance between ensuring prisoners receive necessary healthcare and upholding the legal consequences of their actions. The situation also raises questions about the public's right to know about the health of prominent political figures, even those who have been convicted of crimes.
Bolsonaro's medical team will continue to monitor his condition. The duration of the phrenic nerve block's effectiveness varies, and it is possible that the hiccups could return, requiring further intervention. No further details regarding his release from the hospital or return to prison have been released.
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