Bolsonaro makes new intervention after days of hospitalization to try to contain hiccups; to understand

According to a medical bulletin published on Sunday, Bolsonaro presented a new attack of hiccups during the night, in addition to an increase in blood pressure. “Yesterday evening he had another hiccup, despite the intervention carried out, as well as an increase in blood pressure. For the moment, he is stable and has no hiccups,” informed the medical team. According to doctors, the nocturnal episodes led to difficulty sleeping.

The bulletin informs that the left phrenic nerve block was already planned as a complementary stage of treatment, considered necessary for the subsequent evaluation of the results of the intervention. The intervention is part of the strategy adopted by the medical team to contain persistent bouts of hiccups.

Phrenic nerve block is indicated in specific cases of refractory hiccups, when there is no adequate response to clinical drug treatment. The phrenic nerve is responsible for controlling the movements of the diaphragm, a muscle essential for breathing. By temporarily reducing the conduction of nerve impulses, the procedure aims to interrupt the involuntary contractions that cause hiccups.

The treatment is associated with complications stemming from the stabbing Bolsonaro suffered during the 2018 presidential campaign, which led to changes in the gastrointestinal tract and recurring episodes of hiccups that were difficult to control clinically over the years.

The medical team expects the former president to remain hospitalized for at least another 48 hours after the surgery scheduled for Monday, to monitor the postoperative period and observe the evolution of his clinical condition. He will continue his clinical care, with physiotherapy for rehabilitation, venous thrombosis prophylaxis measures and continuous pain monitoring.

The new procedure follows surgery performed last Thursday, when Bolsonaro underwent conventional repair of a bilateral inguinal hernia. The operation lasted approximately three and a half hours and was considered successful by the medical team. On Friday, doctors had already announced adjustments to medications to control hiccups and treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.

This is the third time that the former president has visited the operating room since his admission last Wednesday. He remains hospitalized at DF Star Hospital, in Brasilia, in post-operative care.

The hospitalization was authorized by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Court, after the expertise of the Federal Police indicated the need for medical intervention. Bolsonaro is accompanied by former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro and remains hospitalized in a private hospital in the federal capital.

Understanding Phrenic Nerve Block

Phrenic nerve block is an anesthetic procedure used in specific cases of persistent hiccups, when clinical drug treatment does not provide a satisfactory response. The function of this nerve is to control the movements of the diaphragm, a fundamental muscle for breathing – and it is precisely the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that causes hiccups.

During the procedure, doctors apply localized anesthesia to temporarily reduce the conduction of nerve impulses reaching the diaphragm. With this, the goal is to stop the involuntary contractions responsible for hiccups.

The blockage does not cause permanent paralysis or permanently interfere with breathing. This is a temporary, controlled measure used to assess whether interruption of the nerve stimulus is able to stop the episodes.

In some cases, like that of Jair Bolsonaro, the treatment is carried out bilaterally, first on one side then the other, as part of a medical strategy aimed at observing the body’s response before completing the procedure.