Castro grave after three failed surgeries: report

Fidel Castro has had a series of surgeries in recent months to repair pouches that formed in his large intestine...

Fidel Castro has had a series of surgeries in recent months to repair pouches that formed in his large intestine and later the onset of a serious infection in his stomach lining, a Spanish newspaper reported on Monday.

The report by El Pais, the most detailed accounting of the Cuban leader8217;s illness to date, could not be independently confirmed. The newspaper cited two anonymous medical sources at Gregorio Marantilde;oacute;n Hospital in Madrid. Dr Joseacute; Luis Garciacute;a Sabrido, who is the head of surgery at the hospital, examined Castro in December and told reporters afterward that the leader did not suffer from cancer, as American officials had speculated.

The Spanish newspaper said in a report posted on its website on Monday that Fidel Castro, who has not been seen in public since July 26, had suffered from diverticulitis, a serious ailment caused when the bulges that sometimes form in the colon of older people become infected.

In Castro8217;s case, that later led to peritonitis, which is an inflaming of the stomach lining, the newspaper said. Describing his condition as 8220;very serious,8221; the paper said Castro was being fed intravenously.

Doctors first removed a portion of Castro8217;s large intestine and connected the colon to the rectum, the paper said. But the operation failed and fecal matter found its way into his stomach, causing an infection.

Later, doctors drained the infected area and performed a colostomy but that also failed, the paper said. A third operation implanted a prothesis. A Korean version failed, prompting Cuban doctors to order one from Spain.

In December, Dr Garciacute;a Sabrido said Castro could recover from the intestinal bleeding that required him to hand over power to his brother Rauacute;l. But the doctor said he 8220;required muscular rehabilitation and a strict diet.8221;

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8220;He does not have cancer, he has a problem with his digestive system,8221; said Garciacute;a Sabrido. 8220;President Castro has no malign inflammation. It8217;s a benign process in which he has had a series of complications.8221;

Reuters reported on Monday the complications included stitches that have not healed properly.

8211;MARC LACEY