The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin underwent a routine bloodless medical procedure yesterday, DPA reported, citing BTA, citing of a Pentagon statement.
The US Department of War clarified that he is resuming his duties, which, according to earlier information from Reuters, were to be carried out by his deputy Kathleen Hicks during his long absence.
Austin underwent a "successful, planned and minimally invasive bloodless procedure necessitated by his bladder problem", the Pentagon informed, quoted by DPA. The US Department of War explicitly noted that the intervention was not related to the prostate cancer diagnosis of 70-year-old Austin.
He has returned home and his schedule will not be rescheduled. The Pentagon adds that the White House and the US Congress have been notified of the procedure.
Austin's diagnosis was reported earlier this year by the Associated Press, with his secret hospitalization at the time being for surgery and later for treatment of a urinary tract infection related to that surgery.