KING PREPARED BY REST FOR OPERATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22891, 10 March 1949, Page 5

KING PREPARED BY REST FOR OPERATION

(10 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 9. The doctors’ decision to operate is not due to any sudden development in the King’s condition. The Daily Telegraph’s medical correspondent says that ever since the King’s illness was diagnosed last November the doctors have had the possibility of an operation in mind. A period of complete rest was essential before an operation could be contemplated to prepare the collateral arteries—the group of small arteries surrounding the main leg artery—to take up the strain of the extra blood flow to the foot.

After their two-day examination of the King last Wednesday and Thursday, the doctors were able to reach the conclusion that the necessary conditions for a successful operation have been established as a result of his long rest. Incision in Small of Back Lumbar sympathectomy is frequently performed in cases of thrombo-angiitis obliterans, the disorder from which the King is suffering. It requires an incision in the small of the back in the region of the kidneys and its function is to increase the blood flow.

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and convalescence from the operation is usually 14 to 21 days. A London man who underwent a lumbar sympathectomy operation two years ago told the Daily Express last night: “I was 69 then. Now I am playing golf again. I limp a bit otherwise I get round very well. Reuter understands that the lumbar sympathectomy operation will be performed on the King next week. Lumbar sympathectomy, though not a common operation, is a well-known technique for dealing with diseases of arterial obstruction.

The operation is a comparatively new development of surgery of the nervous system which was first successfully per. formed 25 years ago. High medical authorities stated it is by no means a dangerous operation and, in most cases, the patient needs to remain under anaesthetic for not more than 30 minutes.

The operation consists of a small incision in the skin of the side to enable the nerve controlling the blood supply to the foot to be cut. This results in the dilation of the blood channels and subsequent relief of the condition by effecting a greater blood flow through small collaterial arteries.

The operation has the effect of opening up the flow of blood from the available undamaged arteries so that the flow to the affected parts is increased from the region of the waist.

Removal of Nerve In the operation as much as possible is removed of a nerve which is part of the sympathetic nerve system. This nerve runs along the spinal bones and controls the flow of blood.

The King is suffering from an affection known as thrombo-engiitis oblietrans which produces a progressive narrowing of arteries due to an inflammatory process inside.

Palace sources stated there is no reason to anticipate that the King, apart from the discomfort of a small wound, will suffer any physical repercussions. The doctors, ever since the King’s illness began, have had the possibility of an operation in mind. The King, after his preparatory rest, is now in excellent health and spirits.

His Maiesty today carried out _ his normal State business and received three official visitors in audience. He intends to carry out his usual duties until the day of the operation. The operation means, however, that the King will not be able to fulfil any public engagements before the summer.