LeBron leaves hospital a day after having surgery to remove benign growth from jaw

LeBron released from hospital after surgery

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers star LeBron James has been released from the Cleveland Clinic after a five-hour procedure to remove a benign growth from his jaw a day earlier.

The team says James returned home Wednesday and is recovering well. He has had the condition for several months, but opted to put off surgery until the Cavaliers completed their season.

Cleveland was eliminated from the Eastern Conference finals by Orlando on Saturday.

During the operation Tuesday, Dr. Frank Papay removed tissue from the parotid gland, which produces saliva. Surgery for such conditions often takes time because of the numerous nerves and blood vessels in that area of the jaw.