Laxman undergoes procedure to remove feeding tube

Pune: Celebrated cartoonist R K Laxman underwent an operative procedure at the military Command hospital here to remove an existing feeding tube inserted through the nose that was causing him extreme discomfort, doctors said today.

The operation called "Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy (PEG)" was performed on Laxman on Sunday placing another tube directly in the stomach to facilitate food intake, Commandant General S S Panwar told reporters.

Laxman was being fed through the tube, which is now removed, since his hospitalisation in Mumbai where he was treated following a series of strokes he suffered about two and half months back.

"He was extremely uncomfortable because of the tube through the nose. It was therefore decided to change this and place a tube directly in the stomach by PEG", he said.

"He is now tolerating food", the doctors said, adding Laxman would be discharged tomorrow. The bed ridden cartoonist and his wife Kamala were present at the press briefing at the hospital.

When asked how he was feeling , Laxman signed to reporters to convey that he was " feeling better". He also attempted a sketch.

After his discharge from hospital, Laxman would undergo speech therapy, Kamala said.