Muldoon on mend

Press, 22 December 1987, Page 1

Muldoon on mend

PA Wellington The former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, is progressing well after yesterday’s surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his colon and is expected to make a good recovery, his office said. Although further tests were still to be made, no other treatment for his condition was indicated at this stage and he was expected to be out of hospital within 10 days, a statement said. Sir Robert, aged 66, underwent 90 minutes of surgery at Auckland’s North Shore Hospital early yesterday after recent tests showed a “small focus” of cancer on his sigmoid colon. The surgery entailed the removal of about 30cm of his sigmoid colon, the statement said. “The operation was done to ensure that an adequate clearance of the cancer could be obtained,” it said. “The surgeons are confident that following yesterday’s surgery there is no residual cancer and his outlook is favourable.” Another bulletin on his condition is expected in a few days.