Kathmandu, November 26

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who has to undergo dialysis following gradual loss of kidney functioning, today underwent an appendicitis surgery at Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj after his appendix burst.

The PM visited the hospital at around 9:00am after complaining of pain in the abdomen.

“He was diagnosed with appendicitis and infection in the stomach (peritonitis). He underwent laparotomy and appendectomy procedures. His health is stable,” reads a statement signed by MCVTC Executive Director Dr Uttam Krishna Shrestha.

Peritonitis is a condition in which the appendix bursts and may cause infection, according to Dr Muza Shrestha, associate professor and consultant  surgeon at Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital. “When the appendix bursts, bacteria can penetrate the  abdominal cavity. This can cause serious health problems and may even be  fatal,” said Dr Shrestha.

The surgery was performed by a team of doctors, including Dr Ramesh Singh Bhandari, gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon. The surgery was over at 12:45pm, according to the Prime Minister’s Press Adviser Surya Thapa.

“He will have to remain in the hospital for a few days,” said Dr Arun Sayami, the PM’s health adviser who was involved in the PM’s treatment. “He has  been admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital and is under close observation.”

Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix becomes swollen and inflamed. The appendix is a small finger-shaped pouch on the right-lower abdomen connected to the colon.

The PM underwent appendicitis surgery at a time when he has been regularly visiting the hospital after his transplanted kidney failed to function properly. Oli has undergone four cycles of haemodialysis in Grande International Hospital in the last few weeks.

Haemodialysis was performed twice on the PM on October 30. He underwent another round of haemodialysis on November 16, followed by a fourth one on Sunday. In between these haemodialysis sessions, a ureteric stent — a small tube inserted into the ureter between the kidney and the bladder — was also removed.

Oli underwent kidney transplant in India in 2007 after both his kidneys failed to function. He has been visiting hospitals abroad for health check-up ever since.