ADDS DETAIL; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - US defense chief Lloyd Austin underwent a "successful" medical procedure Friday related to a bladder issue, according to the Pentagon.
"Tonight, at approximately 6 p.m. ET, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underwent a successful, elective, and minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure related to his bladder issue at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours," said spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder in a statement.
Ryder said Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks assumed Austin’s functions and duties, and served as the acting secretary.
Austin "subsequently" resumed his functions and duties and returned home, he said. "No changes in his official schedule are anticipated at this time, to include his participation in scheduled Memorial Day events."
Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer late last year and had surgery Dec. 22. Complications arose, however, leading to his hospitalization due to severe pain on Jan. 1.
He stayed in intensive care for treatment until Jan. 15 and worked from home until Jan. 29.