"'Lee Jae-myung Surgery' Surgeon: '1.4cm Incision... No Artery or Airway Damage'"

Seoul National University Hospital Briefs on Lee Jae-myung's Treatment Progress
"Internal Jugular Vein Severed 60% Sharply"
"Recovering Smoothly... Infection Risk Needs Monitoring"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was stabbed and is currently hospitalized at Seoul National University Hospital, is reported by the medical staff to be "recovering smoothly."

Min Seung-gi, professor of transplant vascular surgery at Seoul National University Hospital who performed the surgery on Lee, held a briefing on the 4th at Seoul National University Hospital in Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "He is recovering smoothly, but due to the nature of the trauma, there is a risk of additional infection or surgical complications, so we need to monitor the progress a bit longer."

'Weapon Assault' Lee Jae-myung Surgery Surgeon Briefing [Image Source=Yonhap News]

According to the medical staff, Lee sustained a 1.4 cm stab wound above the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the left side of his neck. Professor Min explained, "The muscle was pierced, and about 60% of the internal jugular vein beneath it was sharply cut, with blood clots accumulated. Fortunately, no damage was observed to the arteries, surrounding cranial nerves, esophagus, or airway."

The medical team washed the wound on the day of the incident, sutured the torn internal jugular vein, and performed vascular reconstruction surgery. Afterwards, a drainage tube was inserted, and a 9 mm length was sutured. Professor Min said, "Vascular reconstruction surgery carries risks of bleeding, thrombosis, and various complications at the surgical site, so it is standard procedure to admit the patient to the intensive care unit."

'Stabbing Attack' Lee Jae-myung Surgery Surgeon Briefing [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Regarding "the circumstances under which Lee underwent surgery at Seoul National University Hospital," Professor Min explained, "Reconstruction of the internal jugular vein or artery is highly challenging, and the success of the surgery cannot be guaranteed, so it was necessary for an experienced vascular surgeon to perform the operation. We accepted the request from Busan National University Hospital and prepared for the surgery."

As for "the reason for holding the briefing that day," he said, "We intended to hold a press briefing after the surgery, but legal advice indicated that it could not be done without the patient's consent, and due to the nature of trauma patients, stability is the top priority, so we could not hold a briefing. After Lee recovered and agreed, we proceeded with the press briefing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.