Sen. Edward Kennedy underwent “successful” surgery for a brain tumor at Duke University Medical Center today. Doctors said Kennedy was awake during the surgery, which lasted roughly three and a half hours. His doctor, Dr. Allan Friedman said Kennedy should suffer “no permanent neurological effects” and he hoped the senator would have “an uneventful and robust recovery.”

In a statement, the 76-year-old Democrat said before his surgery that he and his wife, Vicki, “along with my outstanding team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, have consulted with experts from around the country and have decided that the best course of action for my brain tumor is targeted surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation.”

Kennedy said in the statement, he expects to remain in the hospital “to recuperate for approximately one week.”

He added, “Shortly thereafter, I will start radiation treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital and begin chemotherapy.” Video Watch what Kennedy faces in the operating room »