Chennai, December 10: Siddaganga seer Shivakumara Swami, affiliated to the Siddaganga Mutt, is "recovering well from the operation", said the statement issued by Chennai's Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre, where he was admitted on Friday. The revered seer underwent an operation at the hospital on Saturday to to treat his liver and bile duct infection.

The 111-year-old religious figure was earlier being treated at the mutt in Bengaluru. After his health deteriorated, the doctors decided to airlift him Chennai. Since his condition required emergency treatment, the seer was rushed from the mutt to HAL airport, where an air ambulance was arranged on priority basis to take him to the Chennai Airport.

Swami is likely to remain in intensive care unit for over a month, even his health stabilises. He will be treated for his recurring liver tube infection.

Here is the statement issued on the seer's health by the hospital:

As part of the operation successfully completed, the doctors have implemented a complicated procedure to implant stents in his liver tube.

The seer has been facing regular health issues since 2016, when he underwent stent implantation for the first time. He has been regularly contracting infection, leading to high fever.

Apart from the liver tube infection, Swami is known for maintaining a healthy lifestyle despite living over a century. His close aides claim he has never made complaints of hypertension or diabetes, but has issues only with his liver.

On Saturday, senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar visited the ailing seer at the Rela Institute.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2018 11:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).