The president had to undergo a new intracranial operation, scheduled from “moment zero”, according to the medical team.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is well after undergoing embolization of the middle meningeal artery (endovascular procedure) this Thursday morning (12) at the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, in São Paulo. According to experts, the technique used is considered safe and effective, but its application requires careful evaluation of the patient’s clinical condition.
Doctor Ana Helena Germoglio, of the team that takes care of the president’s health, reported in the late afternoon of Wednesday 11th, that the operation to which Lula underwent had already been planned from the “zero moment” of the operation, carried out in the early hours of the morning last Tuesday, 10.
How is the procedure performed?
In conversation with the Earth you, neurosurgeon Felipe Mendes explains that the endovascular procedure is minimally invasive. A catheter is introduced through a peripheral artery – usually the femoral or radial artery – and guided to the middle meningeal artery.
The goal is to interrupt blood flow in this artery, using embolizing agents, such as particles, glues or microspheres. The entire process is monitored by fluoroscopic images, ensuring greater precision.
Why is the procedure recommended?
Middle meningeal artery embolization is mainly recommended to prevent new intracranial hemorrhages, being a common option in cases of chronic subdural hematomas. Mendes explains that the procedure may also be indicated after trepanation – a technique performed on Lula to drain a hematoma – as a way to reduce the risk of recurrence.
“The decision for embolization depends on an individual analysis of the case, considering the severity and the possibility of recurrence,” he emphasizes.
Are there any risks?
Although considered safe, embolization is not without risks. Possible complications include cerebral ischemia, adverse reactions to the embolizing agent, hematoma at the puncture site, and infections, which are rare.
Furthermore, there is a risk of neurological deficits, transient or permanent, especially in more complex cases or in patients with pre-existing pathologies.
“The experience of the medical team and adequate patient selection are essential factors to minimize these risks,” explains the neurosurgeon.
Is the procedure definitive?
Studies indicate that middle meningeal artery embolization has high success rates, with an effectiveness of 80% to 90% in reducing recurrence of chronic subdural hematomas.
“In most cases this is a definitive solution, but factors such as the patient’s clinical condition and previous management can influence the need for further interventions,” concludes the doctor.
According to Roberto Kalil Filho, Lula’s doctor, the embolization of the middle meningeal artery “was a success.”
“It all started at 7:10 in the morning. The procedure has just ended, it was a success, [a equipe médica] he managed to embolize that artery […]. The president is awake and speaking,” Kalil said in a press statement this morning after the procedure.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
