Reagan Enters Hospital for Colon Surgery

President Reagan entered Bethesda Naval Hospital today for removal of a small growth in his colon and a thorough examination of his large intestine.

Medical authorities said the procedure, which involves insertion of a long, flexible tube into the colon, is uncomfortable but unlikely to result in serious complications.

Smiling broadly and waving to onlookers, a shirt-sleeved Reagan arrived for the operation at Bethesda Naval Hospital at 1:36 p.m. EDT accompanied by his wife, Nancy.

Asked how he felt, he said, “Fine.”

At 4:30 p.m., security agents guarding the wing of the hospital building where the procedure was performed left the area and the presidential motorcade went to another location, indicating the procedure was over. However, there was no official word from the White House.

Reagan was staying in the $452-a-day presidential suite at the hospital, which was also caring for 85-year-old Adm. Hyman Rickover, recovering from what was believed to be a stroke.

Overnight Hospital Stay

The President planned to leave the hospital Saturday morning to fly to Camp David, Md., in time to deliver his weekly radio speech just after noon, but a tape recorded version was held on standby in case he did not make it on time or suffered complications.

Vice President George Bush went ahead with a political trip to Boston and a weekend vacation at his home in Kennebunkport, Me. Speakes said the White House saw no need for a temporary transfer of power to Bush as prescribed under the 25th Amendment in case of presidential disability.

The polyp that doctors were to remove was discovered during Reagan’s physical examination in March. A similar small polyp was found less than a year earlier, and part of it was removed for microscopic examination, which showed the growth was benign, or non-cancerous, Speakes said at the time.

When doctors re-examined Reagan in March, they found no evidence of the first polyp and concluded most of it had been removed during the biopsy and apparently had healed without need for further treatment.