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 Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to undergo a surgery on Tuesday to close a hole which doctors made in his head in previous operations, the hospital treating him said in a statement on Monday.

Doctors will restore part of Sharon's skull, which was removed in previous operations after he suffered a massive stroke in January, and the operation is to be conducted on Tuesday afternoon, said the statement said

Sharon, still comatose, was examined by experts on treatment of neurological ailments late last week prior to a decision to move him to a long-term care facility.

Israeli TV Channel Two reported last week that Sharon would be moved to a care facility following the surgery, the eighth since he was hospitalized.

The TV report said doctors prefer to treat Sharon in the long- term care section of Tel Hashomer Hospital next to Tel Aviv, but his sons might prefer to move him to his home, a ranch in southern Israel.

Heads of neurology departments from two Tel Aviv hospitals were brought in last week to consult with doctors handling Sharon's case about future treatment.

PM's surgery delayed due to respiratory infection


The surgical procedure Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was to undergo Tuesday afternoon was postponed due to a mild respiratory infection.

Sharon was to undergo surgery at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem to replace a section of his skull which was removed in an initial emergency operation to allow access to damaged portions of his brain.

The operation is intended to prepare the comatose Sharon for a move to a chronic care facility, possibly Loewenstein Hospital Rehabilitation Center in Ra'anana, the rehabilitation department at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, or following special preparation, to his home at Sycamore Ranch.

The operation was to be the eighth undergone by Sharon since he suffered a massive stroke on January 4. The decision to transfer Sharon to another facility was based on the lack of improvement in his condition.

"I don't think this is a complicated procedure. It can also be assumed that his situation allows this and that it could be a positive sign that they decided to do this," said Haim Ring, the head of the neurological department in Levinstein Rehabilitation Hospital, where many stroke
patients are treated after the initial recovery period.

"It doesn't in my opinion have any significance regarding his active abilities," Ring told Army Radio, noting that Sharon will not receive rehabilitative treatment in the near future.

It is more likely, Ring said, that Sharon will be transferred to a hospital where he could receive care and assistance.

Neurologists have said it is highly unlikely that Sharon will awaken from the coma.

Hadassah said it has not yet been decided when or if to transfer the prime minister.

Sharon's doctors decided to operate at a consultation last Wednesday with neurological specialists Prof. Moshe Hadani, chief of neurology at Sheba hospital, Tel Hashomer, and Prof. Tzvi Rapapport, chief of neurology at Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva.