Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has second surgery after falling off horse

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen underwent another surgery on Christmas after his horseback riding accident.

The governor’s office said Wednesday that Pillen chose to have a rib fixation procedure, in which doctors used metal plates to stabilize his seven broken ribs.

The goal is to help his ribs heal in the long term and prevent complications.

SEE ALSO: UNMC: Pillen suffered rib fractures, partially collapsed lung after falling from horse

A spokeswoman said Pillen’s operation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center would take about four hours.

During that time, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly acted as governor.

In an update early Thursday morning, a spokeswoman said the surgery was a success and Pillen returned to the step-down unit, where he will continue his recovery for several more days.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hospitalized after fall from horse

The governor was injured on Sunday when a new horse bucked him off.

He was taken first to Columbus Community Hospital, then to UNMC, where doctors performed a minor surgery to stop bleeding in his spleen.

Pillen also suffered cuts to his kidney, a partially collapsed lung and a fracture in one of his vertebrae.