Sharon responds to pain stimulation
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-10 08:12

Ariel Sharon started breathing on his own Monday and moved his right arm and leg in response to pain stimulation in what his surgeon called an important development. But it will be days before doctors can determine whether he is lucid or will be able to return to the job.

"The prime minister is breathing spontaneously," said Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the director of Hadassah Hospital, adding that the movements of Sharon's arm and leg marked "a slight but significant improvement."

Dr. Felix Umansky, the chief neurosurgeon treating Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, left, listens as Director of the Hadassah hospital, Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, briefs the media about Sharon's condition outside the hospital in Jerusalem, Monday Jan. 9, 2006. [AP]

Sharon's response is a "very important" sign and indicated his brain stem is working, said his chief surgeon, Dr. Felix Umansky, briefing reporters for the first time.

It is still too early, however, to assess what impact the massive bleeding he suffered in his right brain would have on his abilities to think and reason or on the left side of his body, Umansky said.

"We are just at the beginning of a very long way," the surgeon said. "It's too early to talk about the cognitive issue."

A final medical analysis on Sharon's long-term prognosis would end days of uncertainty over the fate of the 77-year-old prime minister, heralded by many as the best hope for Mideast peace. Doctors said his chances of survival are better, but he is far from out of danger.

He remains hooked up to a respirator and unconscious in a guarded room where classical music is being played.

More clarity as to Sharon's condition might enable his new, centrist Kadima Party to select a successor and start campaigning for March 28 elections. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert — Sharon's ally and a proponent of unilateral withdrawals from more Palestinian-claimed lands — is seen as the most likely heir.

The Palestinians' political future, which was to be decided in Jan. 25 parliament elections, also appeared in limbo.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas reiterated Monday that the vote would take place on time, but Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef that warned his security forces would not be able to protect polling stations against gunmen. Some have worried that gangs from Abbas' Fatah Party may attack polling stations if Fatah appears to be losing to the Islamic militant Hamas party.

Sharon has been in a medically induced coma since his massive stroke Jan. 4. Doctors plan to continue lowering the level of sedatives in his body over the next several days, Mor-Yosef said.

Sharon has not yet opened his eyes. His doctors hope he will when the sedative levels are lowered further, though outside experts cautioned there was no assurance he would wake up at all.

"His chances of survival are better than if the respiratory center had been damaged, but that still doesn't mean he's going to survive," said Dr. John Martin, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at University College in London. He said Sharon's weight and age worked against him.