Sen. Wilson Has Appendix Removed

Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) underwent emergency surgery Wednesday to remove his appendix, which his doctors believe ruptured last Sunday.

As a result, Wilson missed his first Senate votes this year and probably will not be back in time to cast what Republican leaders had expected to be a crucial vote in favor of the fiscal 1986 budget package backed by the Reagan Administration.

Doctors advised Wilson, 51, that he should be hospitalized at least a week, “but knowing Pete, he may not stick to the seven to 10 days,” spokesman Otto Bos said. Bos said Wilson was listed in satisfactory condition after the one-hour, 20-minute operation performed at Bethesda Naval Hospital outside Washington.

Felt Ill Saturday

Wilson began to feel ill Saturday and doctors said his appendix ruptured Sunday. However, he continued on his Senate schedule until Wednesday, when he began suffering acute pain.

Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), acknowledging that Wilson’s vote may make the difference between the budget package’s passing or failing, left open the possibility Wednesday that he might prolong Senate debate on the issue until Wilson can leave the hospital to vote.