Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underwent elective surgery.
The surgery was a “scheduled, elective, and minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure related to his previously reported bladder issue,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced.
During the surgery, Austin passed his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
In a follow-up announcement, Ryder said the surgery was “successful.”
Austin has “subsequently resumed his functions and duties,” Ryder noted.
In February, Austin was hospitalized for “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” according to a statement.
That evening, the Pentagon released another statement saying that Austin was “admitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring.”
“At this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized. The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery,” the statement continued. “His cancer prognosis remains excellent. Updates on the Secretary’s condition will be provided as soon as possible.”
In January, doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center released a statement revealing that Austin was treated for prostate cancer.
“As part of Secretary Austin’s routinely recommended health screening, he has undergone regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) surveillance,” the doctors said in a statement. “Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment.”
Austin was reportedly admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22, 2023, and “underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.”
