Friday, December 3, 2010

Laryngoplasty. What's That?

Also known as Laryngeal Reconstruction. It's a rebuilding of the vocal cords that helps to correct the loss of motion or muscle due to some dastardly bad thing that happened to the patient, such as... oh... inconveniently placed tumors of the head and neck, causing damage to the vagus nerve.

This procedure does not make the vocal cords move again, but it does move the paralyzed cord into a position to where it can be used to create sound again.
Up to 90% recovery of the voice can be achieved, but I'll be happy if I get 10%, because it's still several %'s more than I have now.
I'll set the bar low, and be happy with the results.

Also, it should improve swallowing, and decrease choking, because it will help to create a proper seal at the entrance to the windpipe. (yeah! I am so looking forward to that.)

The surgery is done by placing an implant that pushes the weak vocal cord toward the middle of the voice box. The most common implant used is made from Gore-Tex. The implant is permanent, but is reversible without extensive surgery. I don't expect that I'll be wanting it reversed, but who knows.

If anything cool happens that I can remember, I'll blog about it.

For sure, I'm a little excited about the newer set of life-altering possibilities that may be coming my way, because the last ones sucked.

8 comments:

W.B. Picklesworth said...

Sounds good. If you're anywhere as lucky as the Bears you'll get 91% of your voice back. :)

Gino said...

i'm thinking that maybe the bears just dont want to blow out the competition. do enough, but save some for next time.

W.B. Picklesworth said...

They're trying to tempt me into getting excited at their demise and then they win. Your Bears frustrate me greatly. On the other hand, I'm all hunky dory with this surgery of yours. On to victory! Run up the score!

Bike Bubba said...

Good luck, Gino.

Brian said...

Good luck! (Also, when?)

Mr. D said...

Hope it goes well, Gino. Let me know if I can be of assistance.

lumberjack said...

Good luck with it guy. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

VLW said...

Crossing my fingers and thinking happy thoughts.