Kirk undergoes more surgery to relieve brain swelling

• Reprints

Mark Kirk

Updated: February 2, 2012 4:23PM

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has undergone more surgery to relieve swelling in his brain following the stroke he suffered over the weekend, his neurosurgeon said Thursday.

Dr. Richard Fessler said doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital removed two small pieces of brain tissue that were destroyed by the stroke.

Fessler said Wednesday’s surgical procedure is commonly performed in similar cases and meant to create more space around the brain to accommodate “the expected peak of swelling.

“The procedure — which removed two small pieces of tissue previously destroyed and rendered non-functional by the senator’s stroke — was completed successfully and without complication. The procedure is unlikely to have any impact on his physical or neurological prognosis.”

Fessler said that, on Thursday morning, the Republican from Highland Park “was alert, responsive and gave us the thumbs-up on request,”

He added, “Senator Kirk continues to progress as expected and remains in serious but stable condition this morning, with no change in his neurological or physical prognosis.”

He has said that the outlook is good for Kirk, 53, though it’s possible he’ll be left with problems moving his left arm and leg and may have some facial paralysis.

Doctors previously removed a 4-by-8-inch piece of Kirk’s skull, also to allow for swelling.
Kirk checked himself in to Lake Forest Hospital on Saturday after suffering dizziness and a headache. Doctors there discovered a carotid artery dissection in the right side of his neck, and he was transferred to Northwestern, where tests revealed he’d suffered an ischemic stroke, caused by an artery to the brain being blocked.