Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, underwent a second phrenic nerve block procedure on Monday to address persistent hiccups. The procedure, according to his medical team, was successful, and his condition is stable.
Bolsonaro, a far-right politician, has been hospitalized since Christmas Eve after receiving judicial permission to leave prison for hernia repair surgery. He is currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results. The hernia operation was deemed successful, but the persistent hiccups, which have plagued him for months, prompted doctors to pursue further treatment.
The phrenic nerve block is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure aimed at interrupting the signals from the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm. Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle, often triggered by irritation or stimulation of the phrenic nerve. The procedure performed on Saturday targeted the phrenic nerve on the right side.
Bolsonaro's imprisonment stems from his alleged involvement in a plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He has consistently denied the charges, claiming they are politically motivated. His legal team has been pursuing appeals and challenges to his conviction.
The judicial authorization allowing Bolsonaro to leave prison for medical treatment highlights the balance between ensuring the rights of prisoners to healthcare and maintaining public safety. The conditions of his temporary release were not immediately disclosed, but typically involve restrictions on his movement and communication.
The former president's medical team will continue to monitor his condition following the second phrenic nerve block. The long-term effectiveness of the procedure in resolving his persistent hiccups remains to be seen. Further updates on his health are expected as he recovers in the hospital.
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