Vice President Dick Cheney underwent surgery today to remove aneurysms found on the back of both knees. The procedure lasted six hours and there were no complications. Presently, the vice president is awake, alert, and comfortable, according to a news release from Cheney's office. It added that after the procedure on Cheney's right knee "went exceedingly smoothly" a decision was made to also repair the aneurysm behind the left knee using a similar technique. Initially, the left knee was to be fixed at a later date. Jenny Mayfield, of the vice president's office, said doctors in July "identified arterial aneurysms behind both knees." Cheney later decided to have the "arteries repaired utilizing a minimally invasive endovascular technique." The Associated Press quoted Mayfield as saying that Cheney expects to resume his normal schedule as soon as he is released to home.
