Reeve in ‘Excellent’ Spirits After Surgery

Actor Christopher Reeve underwent 6 1/2 hours of delicate surgery to stabilize his injured neck Monday, doctors said.

Reeve, who was paralyzed after being thrown at an equestrian event, underwent surgery in which doctors fused the top vertebrae of his spine to the base of his skull to allow him to hold his head straight.

“Everything went well,” Dr. John Jane said after the surgery. “He indicated pleasure [by smiling] when I told him this would enable us to move his head up.”

Reeve, 42, remained on a ventilator, and doctors said it may be several weeks before they are able to determine his prognosis for recovery.

Jane said Reeve, best known as star of the “Superman” series, was in “excellent” spirits.