POPE John Paul II's much scrutinised operation for the removal of his appendix passed off without problems or complications yesterday morning, according to the medical team from Rome's Policlinico Gemelli hospital who operated on him.
Speaking at a news conference after the operation, Prof Francesco Crucitti, the surgeon who performed the appendectomy, not only confirmed that the operation had gone well but went on to "categorically exclude" that the Pope was suffering from a cancerous tumour.
Media pundits and independent medical experts have expressed scepticism in recent weeks that yesterday's operation on Pope John Paul, who is 76, was limited to the removal of the appendix, arguing that it was prompted by fears of a recurrence of tumorous growths of the type which necessitated the removal of a colon tumour in July 1992. That operation was also performed by Dr Crucitti.
In response to precisely such speculation yesterday, a some what exasperated Dr Crucitti said I categorically exclude that [a fresh tumour]. There's no secrecy. I'm here today to give you the exact reality of the situation we already said it back in 1992, after the operation, that the Pope could well decline and pass away because of all manner of diseases but not because of this [colon] tumour.
Dr Crucitti had earlier read a precise medical bulletin which confirmed not only the success of the operation but also the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis that had prompted it.
He said. The Holy Father underwent, under a general anaesthesia, the surgical procedure of an appendectomy, previous to which there was a separation of localised adhesions. The operation confirmed the clinical diagnosis of recurring episodes of inflammation of the appendix.
Dr Crucitti went on to confirm that the Pope had recovered consciousness soon after the 50 minute operation, adding that he had removed scar tissue and adhesions resulting from the Pope's previous operations both for the colon tumour in 1992 and after the May 1981 assassination attempt by a Turkish gunman, Mehmet Ali Agca.
Dr Crucitti said that the presence of such adhesions was normal", given the earlier operations. Adhesions can be painful and occur when normally separate loops of intestine stick together.
Recent media speculation has also suggested that the Pope may be suffering from Parkinson's Disease, but when Dr Crucitti was asked about such a possibility, he replied that he was not qualified to offer an opinion, saying There are specialists following him. That [Parkinson's Disease] is not my field".
The senior Vatican spokesman, Dr Joaquin Navarro Valls, said the Pope himself had asked to have the Gemelli's medical bulletin read to him by one of the nuns from the papal household. He added "The Pope got the news just a little before you".
Among the many to send messages of well being to the Pope was, ironically, Ali Agea, who is still serving a prison sentence for his attempt on the Pope's life.
Given the success of yesterday's operation it is expected that the Pope will be back on his feet and out of bed for a short time today, and he should be back in the Vatican by next Tuesday, if not earlier. Next week sees the 18th anniversary of the Pope's election. A further medical bulletin will be issued this morning.
The Pope, who had asked Catholics to pray for him before entering hospital on Sunday evening, heard Mass in his special 10th floor suite at the Gemelli before the operation. He appeared relaxed on his way to the theatre.