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Rabat undergoes surgery in Barcelona

Tito Rabat has undergone successful surgery following a heavy fall during the second day of the Sepang MotoGP test.

The Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider underwent the surgery at the Hospital Universitario Dexeus in Barcelona on Wednesday evening, which was performed by doctors Xavier Mir - Head of the Upper Extremities Surgery and Microsurgery Unit of the Hospital Universitario Dexeus and Head of Traumatology for MotoGP - and Ignacio Ginebreda - Head of the Lower Extremities Surgery Unit.

A statement released by the team said the following procedures had been carried out during a two-hour operation:

Surgical cleaning and closing of a severe laceration and skin loss on the left knee. A scan showed that the quadricipital tendon was damaged but not broken; insertion of screws to stabilise a distal fracture of the radius in the right hand; insertion of a plate and screws to stabilise a small fracture to the fifth metacarpal in the right hand and immobilisation of the right foot due to a fracture to the distal phalanx.

The treatment will be evaluated in 48 hours and Rabat will remain in hospital for intravenous antibiotic treatment to combat infection for the next four days.

On Monday the former Moto2 World Champion will undergo a further full examination by doctors, after which a rehabilitation program will be decided upon.

Team principal Michael Bartholemy said: "The good news is that the surgery Tito had last night was successful. Obviously the bad news is the extent of the injuries he sustained in the Sepang crash. The knee injury is the biggest issue because it was an open wound and the risk of infection is high, hence the need for him to stay in hospital over the weekend.

"On Monday, after a further assessment by doctors, we will have a clearer understanding of how long his rehabilitation will take and a realistic idea about a possible date for his return to action.

"We know Tito and he's probably checking flights for the Phillip Island test from his hospital bed already, but he needs to be realistic too. It makes no sense for him to return until he's fit enough for the physical demands that racing a MotoGP bike places on a rider." 

Zdroj: crash.net