A second neurosurgical operation for Alessandro Zanardi

This Monday, June 29 at 19 p.m., the Santa Maria elle Scotte hospital in Siena released a new health bulletin concerning Alessandro Zanardi. The Italian pilot, victim of a serious road accident when he was out on a handbike on Friday June 19, remains in a worrying state.

Indeed, the doctors report the latest information concerning the former double champion of CART, after having decided with the family to no longer communicate for the previous seven days. “As part of the diagnostic-therapeutic evaluations carried out by the team treating the athlete, a scan was carried out.

This diagnostic examination showed an evolution in the patient's condition which required the use of a second neurosurgery. After the operation, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, Alessandro Zanardi was again hospitalized in the intensive care unit where he remains under sedation and intubation: his conditions remain stable from a cardio-respiratory and metabolic point of view, severe from a neurological point of view, the prognosis remains confidential.

The intervention carried out – declares the medical director of Aou Senese Roberto Gusinu – represents a step that had been issued by the care team. Our professionals will assess the evolution of the situation on a day-to-day basis, in agreement with the family. the next bulletin will be published in approximately 24 hours. »

The previous week, Pope Francis had written a handwritten letter to the WTCC winner in which he sent his thoughts and prayers. 

Admitted to intensive care late Friday, June 19, Alessandro Zanardi underwent a major 3-hour surgical operation for serious head and jaw injuries after being rushed to hospital by helicopter.

The 53-year-old Italian, who had his legs amputated after a terrible Champ Car accident in 2001 at the Lausitzring (Germany), was carrying out a handbike training session with the Paralympic team when he lost control of his vehicle and found himself on the other side of the road. The multiple Paralympic gold medalist was unable to avoid an oncoming truck.