Associated Press
Sunday, September 9, 2007

First lady Laura Bush underwent successful surgery yesterday to relieve pain from pinched nerves in her neck, the White House said.

The 2 1/2 -hour procedure at George Washington University Hospital enlarged the passageway where the nerves sit near the spinal column, removing pressure from the nerves, said Sally McDonough, Mrs. Bush's press secretary.

Mrs. Bush returned to the White House in the afternoon and was said to be resting comfortably. She has no public events scheduled through tomorrow. It was not immediately clear how much time she would need to recuperate.

"Every patient is different, so there's no kind of set time frame. She will certainly ease back into her schedule," McDonough said.

Mrs. Bush injured a nerve in her neck and shoulder earlier this year while hiking and has been undergoing physical therapy since.

While en route from Sydney to Hawaii, President Bush telephoned his wife at the hospital, and they spoke for two to three minutes, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Mrs. Bush told the president that the operation was a success.

"He said she sounded very well," Perino said. "He looks forward to getting back to help her in the recovery."