ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- New York Gov. George Pataki was resting Friday after an emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix and may leave hospital this weekend.
The 60-year-old governor had severe abdominal pain and was taken by state troopers Thursday to the emergency room at the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, reports the New York Daily News.
"In this case, this was a very early kind of rupture," said Dr. Wiji Ratnathicam, who performed the surgery. "It had just broken through. There was no gross contamination of the abdomen." He said the governor was given anesthesia for about an hour and 15 minutes, the report said.
Pataki, who has been prescribed antibiotics, was expected to remain in the hospital at least until Saturday and fully recover after about 10 days.
The White Plains (N.Y.) Journal reported that by Thursday afternoon, Pataki was moving about his hospital room and taking calls from well-wishers, including U.S. President George Bush.
However, the governor, who may run for president in 2008, had to cancel Friday's plans to visit New Hampshire.
