Bush has polyps removed in 'routine' colonoscopy
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush Saturday had five polyps removed during a "routine colonoscopy" but the White House said he was in good spirits and had resumed power after a brief handover to Vice President Dick Cheney.
White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said five polyps were found and removed during the 28-minute procedure, but that "all of them were small" and "none appeared worrisome."
The results will determine the final diagnosis and recommendations for future treatment, the spokesman said.
"It was not a surprise to the doctors" to find the five polyps, Stanzel said.
"They did indicate they were all small, some very small and I would say that is why surveillance ... has become a part of the colorectal cancer screening process," he said, adding that the procedure was scheduled "out of an abundance of caution."
The president was "in good humor and will resume his normal activities at Camp David," he said.
The president ate breakfast, played with his dogs and went for a walk after the procedure, and also planned to go for a bike ride later in the afternoon, Stanzel said.
Bush was sedated during the procedure, in what Stanzel described as "conscious sedation."
"It would be accurate to describe him as 'under' but this was not a general anaesthetic," adding the sedation using propofol has a "rapid awakening effect."
After the procedure, Bush spoke by phone to his wife, Laura, who is in Texas celebrating her mother's birthday, Stanzel added.
Cheney assumed the role of acting president at 7:16 am (1116 GMT) as Bush's colonoscopy began. The procedure concluded at 7:44 am (1144 GMT) and Bush officially resumed power at 9:21 am (1321 GMT).In all, Cheney was in charge of the country for two hours and five minutes.
Cheney spent that time at his residence on Maryland's eastern shore in what Stanzel described as a "routine Saturday morning ... nothing occurred that required him to take official action as acting president."
It was only the third time in US history that a president made use of the Constitution's transfer of power to a vice president.
The only other times were when Ronald Reagan underwent surgery for colon cancer on July 13, 1985, and when Bush underwent a previous colonoscopy on June 29, 2002, White House officials said.
The 2002 procedure was "preventative," after previous colonoscopies in July 1998 and December 1999 each led to the discovery -- and removal -- of two benign polyps, officials said.
"Absent any symptoms, the president's doctor recommended repeat surveillance in approximately five years. The president has had no symptoms," presidential spokesman Tony Snow told reporters on Friday.
