Surgery for Berlusconi

ITALIAN Premier Silvio Berlusconi has undergone four hours of face surgery to repair damage he suffered when a man hurled a statuette at him in 2009.

The 74-year-old Berlusconi was operated on under general anaesthetic in Milan, said a statement quoting his personal doctor, Alberto Zangrillo.

Berlusconi suffered a broken nose and two broken teeth when a man hurled a miniature statue of Milan’s cathedral at him at close range at the end of a political rally in Milan on December 13, 2009.

The attacker had a history of psychological problems.

The operation yesterday “became necessary to restore the anatomy and jaw function that had been gravely compromised” in the attack, said the brief statement.

Without detail, it said the operation involved a bone transplant and an implant.