2024-09-20 09:45:33
On Thursday, Heinz Hoenig was allowed to Back home after 143 days in intensive care. Bacteria had damaged his esophagus. But what happens now?
In the spring of this year, actor Heinz Hoenig had to be taken to hospital. A bacterial infection on a stent from 2012 is said to have caused an inflammation of the aorta and probably also the hole in the esophagus.
The problem: Even after the successful operation, Hoenig is unable to eat normally for several months. In such cases, a gastric tube is usually used. Liquid food specially designed for the patient is fed directly into the stomach via this feeding tube. This is necessary to ensure that the patient is adequately supplied with all the necessary nutritional components.
However, artificial nutrition via a tube also carries risks. Complications and problems in the digestive tract such as vomiting and diarrhea can occur. Reduced blood flow and mobility of the large intestine can also occur and cause problems.
It is therefore an advantage that Hoenig’s wife Annika (39) is a trained nurse. She told “Bild”: “Without having worked in the medical field, you cannot implement this professionally. That was also the prerequisite for being discharged at home. Starting with the ongoing drug therapy and artificial nutrition through the gastric tube to the wound care of the accesses.”
And even after he has healed and can eat and drink independently again, Hoenig will probably still need help, as he will have to radically change his diet in the months that follow.
This so-called gastric sleeve now only has a small capacity. This means that Hoenig can swallow and eat more or less normally again, but from now on the food must be divided into many small meals.
However, this operation is not the end of it. As soon as the 72-year-old’s condition has stabilized sufficiently, another operation on the aorta will be performed. But according to Hoenig’s wife, it will certainly be months before that happens.