Politics and Medicine: A Bad Combination

Gov. George Pataki was transferred from Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical, Millstein Hospital in Manhattan as per a press release from his office. The release didn't cite the specific reason for the move, but one can surmise that NY Presbyterian has greater resources for treating the Governor's condition. The recovery is being hampered by a condition known as paralytic ileus.

The report of the transfer comes on the heels of the earlier news reports suggested that Pataki's condition was typical for those who have suffered a perforated appendix.

Paralytic ileus, the type of intestinal obstruction that Mr. Pataki has, is not uncommon after abdominal surgery, said Dr. Eric A. Rose, the surgeon in chief and chairman of the surgery department at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

The average length of stay after an appendectomy is about three days, not counting the day of surgery, but Mr. Pataki's longer recovery time may have been caused by his perforated appendicitis.

"His gastrointestinal tract lost its integrity and spilled its contents into his peritoneal cavity, the abdominal cavity," said Dr. Rose, who was not involved in the governor's care. "His course sounds like what you'd expect from perforated appendicitis."

I wish him well.

UPDATE:
It's not only Pataki that's suffering the effects of medical maladies. His condition isn't improving, and he was moved from an upstate hospital to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky also remained hospitalized Tuesday after contracting a blood infection while recovering from gallbladder surgery last week.

UPDATE:
Pataki's had a second operation to alleviate a blockage in his intestines. This particular complication is pretty rare, and it would explain why he was transferred to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.