Pillen On The Mend After Serious Accident

Gov. Jim Pillen was discharged Friday from Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he has received treatment for injuries resulting from a horse-riding accident.

He will continue his recovery at the Governor's Residence and planned to resume his office activities this week. 

Pillen and his family shared their profound gratitude for the care and support provided by the medical team and staff at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. His office said they also appreciate the many well-wishes from Nebraskans and expressed their hope that everyone has a blessed and prosperous New Year.

The governor's office issued a statement regarding the rib fixation surgery performed on Pillen on Christmas Day. The procedure was called a success and Pillen was returned to a unit where he continued his recovery from the accident.

Pillen was back on his feet just days after his extensive injuries to his ribs, spleen, lung and kidney.

His office said his recovery at Nebraska Medicine progressed well.

"There have been no new issues regarding the injuries to his kidney and lung, and his spleen continues to heal following the coil embolization procedure he underwent shortly after admissionm," his office said in a Christmas Day statement.

The governor's broken ribs were the primary focus of his treatment on the holiday.

"After careful consultation with his doctors, Gov. Pillen has elected to undergo a rib fixation procedure," his office said. "The procedure – which was discussed by doctors at Monday's news conference as a treatment possibility – involves stabilizing the broken ribs using metal plates. It will promote stronger long-term healing of the ribs, assist with pain management during the recovery process and reduce the odds of complications.

"Based on the governor's health profile and active lifestyle, his doctors consider him an ideal candidate for this procedure."

Nebraska Medicine was said to have emerged as a national leader in rib fixation operations.

The procedure was expected to take about four hours, after which the governor was expected to remain in the hospital several more days for recovery and observation. He was released ahead of that time frame.

Because Pillen was under anesthesia, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly served as acting governor during the procedure, pursuant to the Nebraska Constitution.

On Monday, Dec. 23, Dr. Charity Evans, chief of trauma for Nebraska Medicine and Dr. Hillman Terzian, a trauma surgeon at Nebraska Medicine, updated the media regarding Pillen's medical status.

The governor's office then issued the following statement that detailed the accident:

"Gov. Pillen was transported to Nebraska Medicine Sunday afternoon after a horseback riding accident while riding with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter near Columbus. The governor's injuries included minor lacerations to his spleen and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung resulting from the rib damage, and a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae. There were no injuries to his neck, head, nervous system or additional internal organs."

Following the initial public report of his condition, Pillen's doctors recommended he undergo a coil embolization – a minimally invasive procedure to address minor bleeding from his spleen. The procedure took less than an hour and included anesthesia.

The procedure was a success, and aides said the governor caught the second half of the Nebraska men's basketball win over Murray State in his recovery room, while chatting and joking with his family and team. In summary, the injuries were called serious but not life-threatening and could have been much worse.

While in the hospital, were he was in stable condition, Piller made arrangements to conduct work from his room, aides said.