Kubica Undergoes Successful 8-Hour Elbow Surgery

Robert Kubica underwent his third and final surgery on Wednesday, at the Santa Corona hospital in Italy. Unlike the previous operation he sustained on his right humerus and leg (which lasted for approximately 4 hours), this one was much more complex and was aimed at stabilizing and reconstructing the damaged fragments of the joint structure in his elbow.

Consequently, the Pole had to stay in the operation room for approximately 8 hours, but it was all worth it. According to the first reactions gathered by the Italian media, the surgery was a success and the doctors are pleased with the outcome.

“At the end of the surgery, the doctors were pleased with the outcome, with the procedure being completed successfully,” added a statement from Lotus Renault GP late yesterday.

As it happened after the operation he sustained last Friday, the Renault driver has been transfered to intensive care following the procedure, where he is due to remain for a couple of more days until his condition stabilizes. Afterwards, he will switch to a normal ward.

Kubica will then begin his rehabilitation programme at the same Santa Corona hospital, as recently confirmed by his manager Daniel Morelli. The Polish driver is apparently very pleased with how he has been taken care of at the Italian hospital for the past couple of weeks and has decided that he wants to do his physical recuperation there.

At about the same time Kubica was in operation, his Lotus Renault team confirmed Nick Heidfeld as his replacement for the 2011 season, via an official statement.