Key Takeaways:
- Bolsonaro hospitalised in Brasília after a fourth surgical procedure to treat persistent hiccups.
- Medical team performed repeated phrenic nerve blocks; anaesthetic effect lasts 12–18 hours and patient remains under observation.
- He has been in DF Star hospital since 24 December and is expected to stay until early January under continuous monitoring and escort.
Former president Jair Bolsonaro is to undergo a fourth surgical intervention after a persistent episode of hiccups that began shortly before his admission. The procedure is scheduled at the DF Star hospital in Brasília, where he has been under care since 24 December.
Bolsonaro hospitalised in Brasília
Family members and the medical team confirm the decision to return Mr Bolsonaro to theatre follows a renewed and continuous bout of hiccups that started around 10:00 on Tuesday morning. Michelle Bolsonaro, his wife, posted the update on social media, saying the crisis did not subside and doctors opted for a further intervention.
This will be the fourth procedure since his hospitalisation on the day before Christmas. On 25 December Mr Bolsonaro underwent surgery to repair a bilateral inguinal hernia. Following that, clinicians have attempted several phrenic nerve blocks—first on the right side on 27 December, then repeated on 29 December, and subsequently on the left side the same day—in an effort to control the diaphragmatic spasms responsible for the hiccups.
The phrenic nerve block is a minimally invasive radiointerventional technique carried out under local anaesthesia near the nerve that controls the diaphragm. The intended effect is temporary interruption of the nerve signals that trigger the spasms. According to the treating team, the local anaesthetic typically provides relief for between 12 and 18 hours, after which the patient is kept under observation to assess clinical progress.
Despite the repeated blocks, the hiccups have continued, prompting the decision to attempt another procedure. Clinicians have emphasised that the aim is to temporarily suppress diaphragmatic function sufficiently to allow the spasms to abate while other supportive measures proceed.
During his stay, Mr Bolsonaro has also experienced fluctuations in blood pressure and begun treatment for sleep apnoea, which has led the team to maintain a higher level of monitoring. The medical staff have indicated they expect him to remain hospitalised until the first days of January, depending on his response to treatment and overall clinical evolution.
Mr Bolsonaro was detained at the Federal Police superintendent’s office in Brasília prior to his hospital admission. Authorities say that, once medically cleared, he will return to the custody unit under the existing protocols and escort arrangements. The family has been providing intermittent bulletins on his condition.
Hospitals typically keep patients under observation after phrenic nerve blocks to monitor respiratory function and vital signs while the anaesthetic wears off. The treating team at DF Star have described the interventions as standard radiointerventional procedures used in selected cases of refractory hiccups, and they stressed the need for close monitoring given the patient’s comorbidities and the repeat interventions undertaken in a short period.
Reports cited Metrópoles as the source of the information shared by the family. The hospital has not released detailed clinical notes beyond confirmation of the planned procedure and the ongoing observation of Mr Bolsonaro’s vital parameters.
As the ex-president remains under care, both medical staff and family members continue to provide updates. Officials expect the situation to evolve over the coming days and will announce any change in status as appropriate.
