Mumbai, Apr 27: In a remarkable medical breakthrough, a 73-year-old patient has regained his voice after nearly two decades, following a complex Awake Type I Thyroplasty procedure performed at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.
The surgery was led by Dr. Chandraveer Singh and Dr. Sheetal Radia, Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Onco Surgeons, along with their multidisciplinary team. The patient had lost his voice after undergoing a quadruple heart bypass surgery in 2007, which resulted in damage to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve—causing paralysis of the vocal cord.
For nearly 19 years, the patient struggled with a weak, breathy voice, fatigue while speaking, and difficulty swallowing—conditions that were often overlooked due to multiple underlying health issues.
The case presented significant challenges, as the patient had a complex medical history including chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, fluid overload, pleural effusion, ascites, and prior major cardiac surgery. These conditions made general anesthesia highly risky.
To address this, the surgical team opted for an Awake Type I Thyroplasty under local anesthesia, a highly specialized procedure. It involved creating a small window in the thyroid cartilage and placing an implant to reposition the paralyzed vocal cord, enabling proper contact with the functioning cord to restore voice clarity.
Since the patient remained awake during the procedure, surgeons were able to assess and refine voice quality in real time, ensuring optimal results.
Dr. Rohit Kateliya, Anesthetist, played a critical role in maintaining patient stability throughout the high-risk surgery.
Commenting on the success, Dr. Chandraveer Singh said,
“Voice loss after major heart surgery due to nerve damage is rare but life-altering. Many patients assume it cannot be treated. This case demonstrates that even high-risk patients can safely regain their voice with the right planning, expertise, and team approach.”
Medical experts emphasize that symptoms such as persistent hoarseness, weak voice, or vocal fatigue lasting more than two to three weeks should not be ignored and require evaluation by an ENT specialist, as early diagnosis can significantly improve outcomes.
