Salsa legend Joe Arroyo received a tracheotomy Tuesday to improve his condition, El Colombiano reported.
Arroyo received the operation, which consists of making an insertion in the patient’s trachea, to ease the strain on his respitorory system and stablize his condition.
Doctors said that the operation would not affect Arroyo’s “vocal apparatus” but would leave him more susceptible to infection.
Hospital staff said Arroyo will continue to receive respiration assistance and oxygen after his operation. Arroyo has been hospitalized for nearly a month, although his condition has improved slightly in recent days.
On July 5, Arroyo’s hospital staff revealed that he was suffering from emphysema, diabetes, and a cardiac condition that limits the amount of blood received by his heart muscles. Arroyo remains under heavy sedation.
Arroyo was born in Cartagena in northern Colombia. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest salsa artists of the 20th century.
He recently received a tweets from President Juan Manuel Santos and Shakira wishing him a speedy recovery.