Epiglottis Removed, Cancer. Can It Be Replaced?
I am Dr. Raju Arva from XXXXXXX
Thank you for your recent request for a second opinion from XXXXXXX
Please find below the specialist opinion written by Dr. Kumaresh Krishnamoorthy, XXXXXXX consultant ENT.
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Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Yes, there are prosthetic epiglottis available made of Polytetrafluoroethylene which are bio inert with bactericidal and fungicidal characteristics.They can completely replace his removed epiglottis.
Exercises are must and they do help in trying to gain ability to produce acceptable phonation.Exercises are also needed if his larynx is fixed with prosthetic epiglottis.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them.
Wish him all good health.
Dr. Kumaresh Krishnamoorthy,
ENT specialist
WWW.WWWW.WW
No , this surgery is been done on very few ,as it is a very new technique with unproven success.
Well there are some institutes which do have the infrastructure to consider such surgery and you can discuss with them about the same.Also consult your Primary doctor who can guide you better on the details.
University hospital of Louvain at Mont- Gioddine 5530 Yvoir Belgium,
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk.
Hope I answered your query completely.
Wish him good health.