Senegal winger Khalilou Fadiga underwent surgery in a Belgian hospital on Wednesday to cure an abnormal heartbeat problem which has blighted his career with Inter Milan.
Fadiga joined the Serie A side from French club Auxerre in July last year but was sidelined for six months after Italian doctors said the player had a heart complaint which put his life at risk.
The 29-year-old resumed training in January but has yet to play for Inter.
"Khalilou was taken into hospital Tuesday for a planned operation Wednesday," Fadiga's Belgian wife Jill told reporters."
Fadiga, who began his career with Paris St. Germain, and also had spells in Belgium with Liege and Club Bruges, played a major part in Senegal reaching the quarter-finals at the 2002 World Cup finals.