CHENNAI, May 17 (TOI): Actor Rajinikanth on Monday underwent a minor procedure at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, where doctors removed the excess fluid that had accumulated in his lungs. "The fluid in his chest was pressing against the lungs, causing respiratory problems. We had to aspirate this fluid," a doctor treating him told TOI.
The 61-year-old superstar was admitted to the hospital on Saturday with pneumonia, kidney and liver problems.
He is being treated at a private ward on the seventh floor, where doctors gave him oxygen intermittently and pumped him with antibiotics to clear respiratory infections.
"We are managing his kidney condition medically. At this point, we don't know if we would have to start him on dialysis. It is possible that his kidneys would start functioning normally after he comes out of the severe respiratory infection," a senior doctor said.
A bulletin from the hospital said a team of doctors was treating him for recurrent respiratory infection, temperature and fatigue. "He is cheerful and is being treated in the private ward. His vital parameters are normal. He has been advised to restrict visitors totally and is advised complete rest to avoid inter-current infections," the bulletin said.
TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and Gujarat chief minister Narendara Modi, who were in Chennai to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, called on Rajini. A section of the hospital was cordoned off for the visiting leaders' security. Hospital spokespersons constantly assured reporters who thronged the hospital that the actor was responding well to the treatment.
Rajini's family members refused to speak about his health condition. "We are disturbed by the rumours about his health condition. Rajini is reading and watching news about him in the media. He is definitely not critical," said a relative of the actor. He is in a spacious suit and most of his close family members are with him. On Sunday, doctors who conducted a series of tests including CT scan concluded that he suffered from pneumonia. They found that he had fluid accumulation between layers of tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity. Blood tests showed elevation of serum creatin, which indicated kidney disease.