Which is it? Couldn't the reporter make up his mind?
If it required a full amputation it was bound to be life-threatening. Then again, if it was a complete lop job, whatever will the poor guy think with now that his primary head is gone? And if it wasn't a complete amputation, but only the diseased portion that was removed, why imply the guy lost his stick-shift and is now an automatic?
BTW, as to article it was a "unanamous" decision, but then it says the vote was 10-2.