BTN News: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a 59-year-old man from Massachusetts has regained his voice through a revolutionary larynx transplant, performed by a team of surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Marty Kedian, the patient, is only the third person in the United States to undergo a total larynx transplant, a procedure so rare and complex that it is typically not offered to individuals with active cancer. This extraordinary surgery not only restored Kedian’s ability to speak but also represents a significant milestone in medical history, as it marks the first time a cancer patient in the U.S. has successfully received a larynx transplant.
Larynx transplants are exceedingly rare, with only a handful performed worldwide. In the U.S., the previous two cases occurred years ago, both involving patients who had lost their voices due to traumatic injuries. Kedian’s case, however, breaks new ground as the first involving a cancer survivor. The surgery was part of a clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic, aimed at exploring the feasibility of offering this life-changing procedure to more patients, especially those who have lost their larynx due to cancer. The study is limited, with plans to enroll only nine more participants, but its implications are profound. According to Dr. David Lott, a head and neck surgery professor at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, this trial could potentially transform the lives of many who are currently isolated due to their inability to speak, breathe, or swallow independently.
The larynx, often referred to as the voice box, plays a crucial role in essential functions such as speaking, breathing, and swallowing. Located in the throat, the larynx houses the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound when air passes through them. It also protects the airway by closing during swallowing to prevent food or liquids from entering the lungs. Losing the larynx can severely impact a person’s quality of life, often leading to the need for a tracheostomy tube for breathing and significant communication challenges.
The journey to this medical breakthrough began with Kedian’s diagnosis of a rare laryngeal cartilage cancer a decade ago. Over the years, he underwent numerous surgeries, eventually requiring a tracheostomy tube to breathe and eat. Despite the toll the disease took on his life, including forcing him into early retirement, Kedian was determined not to lose his voice. His resilience and desire to continue communicating in his own voice, particularly with his granddaughter, drove him to explore every possible option, leading him to the Mayo Clinic’s innovative clinical trial.
The decision to proceed with Kedian’s transplant was not taken lightly. Given the risks associated with immunosuppressive drugs required post-transplant, which can increase the likelihood of new cancerous growths, doctors have historically been cautious about offering larynx transplants. However, Kedian was deemed a suitable candidate due to the slow-growing nature of his cancer and his existing use of anti-rejection medications from a previous kidney transplant.
Finding a compatible donor was another significant challenge. It took 10 months to locate a deceased donor with a healthy larynx of the right size. On February 29, a team of six surgeons embarked on a marathon 21-hour operation. They meticulously removed Kedian’s cancerous larynx and transplanted the donor’s larynx, along with the necessary adjacent tissues, including the thyroid and parathyroid glands, part of the pharynx, and the upper section of the trachea. Critical to the success of the transplant were the microvascular and nerve connections, which allowed Kedian to regain sensation and muscle control in his throat.
Remarkably, just three weeks after the surgery, Kedian was able to say his first words: “hello.” His recovery continued to progress, as he relearned how to swallow, moving from soft foods like applesauce to more substantial meals such as macaroni and cheese and hamburgers. The emotional moment when he greeted his granddaughter Charlotte via video call highlighted the profound impact of the surgery on his quality of life. Although Kedian still has a tracheostomy tube, he is eagerly working towards having it removed, with the ultimate goal of returning to a normal life, free from the tubes that have constrained him for so long.
This groundbreaking case not only offers hope to others who have lost their larynx but also pushes the boundaries of what is possible in head and neck surgery. The success of Kedian’s transplant could pave the way for more widespread use of larynx transplants, particularly for cancer patients who have few other options. The Mayo Clinic’s clinical trial represents a significant step forward, offering a new lease on life to those who, like Kedian, may have felt trapped in a silent world. As this research continues, it holds the promise of restoring not just voices, but the dignity and connection that come with the ability to communicate.
