Former Governor Pataki has surgery

ALBANY A Pataki spokesman, David Catalfamo, said the three-term governor had a blockage in his intestines removed earlier in the day and is expected to make a full recovery.

Pataki had his appendix was removed on February 16, 2006, and five days later, the governor was admitted to another hospital with fever and diminished digestive function. Doctors operated that day to remove an intestinal blockage. He spent 18 days in the hospital.

Apparently Pataki suffered acute abdominal pain while in Washington to make a speech this week. He checked himself into a local hospital Wednesday morning, Catalfamo said. After talking with his doctors at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, the governor returned to New York for surgery there.

"This morning doctors performed surgery to alleviate an intestinal blockage," Catalfamo said. "The surgery was uneventful and performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. The governor is in stable condition and is currently recovering with his family."

Pataki is 62 and practices law for a New York City firm.

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