NEW YORK, United States – Doctors for legendary calypsonian Slinger Fransisco, known to his fans as the Mighty Sparrow, say the singer is in stable condition after undergoing surgery in the United States.

Sparrow, 75, was rushed off stage and to the Montgomery General Hospital in Maryland after experiencing crippling pains during a performance on Saturday night.

Patricia Sandiford, one of the doctors who administered emergency care, said the veteran entertainer had suffered an “acute attack of right groin pain” and was “administered emergency care on the premises” of the concert venue.

“Mr Francisco was diagnosed with an incarcerated right inguinal hernia, which was reduced within six to eight hours,” Dr Sandiford, a Trinidadian, said.

She said Sparrow subsequently had emergency surgery, performed by Dr George Conrad, on Sunday, at the same hospital.

“He tolerated the procedure well and was in stable condition immediately after surgery,” Dr Sandiford said.

Carlton Joseph and Fred Thornhill, considered to be members of Sparrow’s inner circle, said Wednesday that the New York-based calypsonian was released from hospital on Monday and is recuperating at a private home in Silver Spring, Maryland.

“He is expected to make a quick and full recovery,” they said.

Sparrow began his performance on Saturday by joking about rumours about his fading health and singing two verses of the popular tune ‘Sparrow Dead’.

“It was a more subdued Sparrow who performed from a seated position centre stage … Although he appeared to be physically weak and less than his normally active, on-stage self, his humour was there, and the voice strong and unmistakably Sparrow,” Joseph and Thornhill added.

However, nearing the end of his performance, Sparrow began clutching his lower right side with a painful grimace, bringing his performance and the show to a premature end.

“After surgery, Sparrow looking and sounding as his old self, jokingly declared when questioned about his ordeal, ‘The only thing is, I ain’t dead yet. Hallelujah,’” Joseph and Thornhill continued.

Earlier in July, Sparrow appeared to be a shadow of himself and missed lines during a performance in Trinidad, when he had to be taken off stage in a wheelchair.