Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin He underwent a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that the Medical Center remained in charge after temporarily handing over authority to a deputy late Friday.
Ryder said Austin continues to deal with bladder issues after prostate cancer treatment in December.
The procedure was successful, elective and minimally invasive, “unrelated to her cancer diagnosis and had no impact on her excellent cancer prognosis,” the spokeswoman said.
Austin handed over his authority to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks in about two and a half hours, the Pentagon said.
The head of the Pentagon returned home after the procedure. “At this time, no changes are anticipated to his official schedule, which includes his planned Memorial Day events,” Ryder said.
Austin, 70, has had health issues since undergoing surgery to address a prostate cancer diagnosis. spent two weeks in the hospital complications after prostatectomy. Austin faced criticism for failing to promptly notify the president or Congress of his diagnosis or hospitalization.
It was Austin Returned to Walter Reed In February, he was admitted to intensive care for a second time due to bladder problems, and at that time he underwent a non-surgical operation under general anesthesia.
Ryder said the Pentagon has informed the White House and Congress.