Phrenic nerve block consists of applying local anesthetic to temporarily interrupt the nerve stimuli responsible for diaphragm contraction.
Former president Jair Bolsonaro underwent a new surgical procedure this Saturday (27), this time to perform a phrenic nerve block, a medical technique recommended in severe and persistent cases of hiccups. The information was released by family members on social media. Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro asked for prayers for the success of the procedure. According to her, Bolsonaro has been facing recurring bouts of hiccups for around nine months, which have caused “anguish”.
Phrenic nerve block consists of applying a local anesthetic to temporarily interrupt the nervous stimuli responsible for contracting the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle. The procedure is indicated in rare situations, when hiccups do not respond to conventional medications. The effect is reversible and requires continuous respiratory monitoring in a hospital environment.
The former president’s children also reported the surgery on social media. “My father returns to the operating table again! My brother Jair Renan is waiting at the hospital for more information, as it is not possible to visit more than one child at the same time. Why is this, my God?”, vented Carlos Bolsonaro.
Renan said he was prevented from attending the procedure, which he classified as a moment of strong emotional shock for the family. “It is very mean to prevent a son from accompanying his own father at such a critical moment. Instead of the affection and presence of the family, two armed police officers are, at this very moment, accompanying my father.”
The new intervention takes place two days after Bolsonaro underwent abdominal surgery to correct intestinal loops, affected by a weakness in the abdominal wall, a condition related to the multiple surgical interventions carried out since the attack he suffered in 2018. According to the medical team, the procedure, carried out on Thursday (25), lasted around three hours and was uneventful.
In a medical bulletin released on Friday, doctors reported that Bolsonaro began post-operative treatment, with motor physiotherapy and the use of medications to prevent thrombosis. Adjustments were also made to medications to control hiccups and gastroesophageal reflux.
According to the medical team, the former president was able to eat and remains under observation. The initial forecast, before the new operation, was hospitalization for between five and seven days. A new medical evaluation is scheduled for next Monday (29), when the next steps of treatment will be defined.
