Two persons were successfully operated for voice reconstruction by ENT surgeons of the Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital here on Friday.
Addressing reporters, KGMCH Dean S. Vadivel Murugan said that it was a rare surgery performed by a team of doctors comprising M. Bharathi Mohan, Shryas, R. Suneer and C.S. Biju.
Dr. Murugan said that N. Rangasamy (55) of Palliyadi and Mani (52) from Thiruvithancode had visited the hospital seeking treatment for change in voice six months ago.
In spite of doctors’ advice, the patients did not turned up for complete evaluation.
Suddenly, they came to the hospital a fortnight ago with respiratory distress. Both of them were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer (throat cancer).
A team of doctors, including ENT surgeons and anaesthesiologists, operated on the two patients for over five hours.
Voice, breathing and swallowing functions were restored with the help of an artificial voice prosthesis brought from Nagpur. Both the patients are doing well and have started practising speech after eight days of surgery.
The surgery, costing Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh, was done at the KCMCH totally free of cost under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr. Murugan said that the cancer in voice box or larynx was prevalent in three per one lakh population and was common among smokers and alcoholics.
“One has to approach ENT specialists if a change in voice persists for over three weeks. It can be tested through endoscopy, CT scan and biopsy,” he added.
M. Radhakrishnan, Medical Superintendent, was also present.
