William Shatner's killer hip

'Star Trek' actor William Shatner has been left "shaken" after nearly dying during a routine hip replacement operation.

7 February 2008
William Shatner nearly died during a hip replacement operation.

The 'Star Trek' legend, who underwent the routine procedure at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on January 25, developed a heart complication while under anaesthetic.

A hospital source said: "The hip replacement surgery went fine. But William's heart started beating erratically. For a few seconds, it looked like he might die on the table.

"Our doctors quickly stabilised him but he was pretty shaken up when they told him about the heart complication."

The 76-year-old actor is using the scare as a "wake-up call" and an incentive to lose his excess weight.

The source added to the National Enquirer magazine: "Until now William has had no real medical problems. But he's overweight and out of shape, so hearing he had a heart problem scared the hell out of him.

"He said he's going to drop some weight and start taking better care of himself. The incident really shook him up. He's trying to process the whole ordeal as a wake-up call."

Shatner's representative could not be reached for comment.

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