Global General

Canada former PM out of hospital after brain surgery

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-10 11:29

OTTAWA -- Canada's former Prime Minister Jean Chretien was released from a Montreal hospital on Monday, just three days after undergoing a brain surgery.

Chretien, 76, had surgery Friday at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital because of a subdural hematoma, a potentially life-threatening pool of blood between his brain and skull.

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In a statement, his family expressed appreciation for the care Chretien received at the hospital.

Canadaian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Saturday sent his best wishes to Chretien for a speedy and full recovery.

Chretien's problem came to doctors' attention on Thursday, when his daughter called to say her father was having difficulty walking.

A brain scan on Friday morning revealed a three-centimeter-wide hematoma that was pushing about 1.5 centimeters into his brain.

Chretien, who led the Liberal Party to three majority governments during his 10 years as prime minister, stepped down from the top post in 2003.

Following his retirement from politics, Chretien returned to law with the prominent law firm Heenan Blaikie and has toured the lecture circuit.