The U.S. lawmaker shot in the head in Arizona has been removed from a ventilator and is breathing on her own through a tube inserted into her windpipe, the hospital announced.
Democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived despite being shot through the head from point-blank range a week ago, remains in critical condition.
“A surgical procedure [tracheotomy] was performed this morning [Saturday] on the Congresswoman to replace the breathing tube that ran down her throat with a tracheotomy tube in her windpipe, protecting her airway and freeing her from the ventilator,” said the hospital in a statement.
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“Her recovery continues as planned,” it said. Surgeons also inserted a feeding tube.
Six people died, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl, and 14 were wounded in the burst of violence a week ago outside a Tucson supermarket, where Ms. Giffords was holding a public event with her constituents.
Ms. Giffords (40) opened her eyes for the first time minutes after President Barack Obama visited her on Wednesday.
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