Vocal Cord Damage

Hello,

I forgot to mention this issue in my last posting.

My father had his esophagectomy (for stage 1) 3 weeks ago.  After being re-vented on post-op day 1  for another 4 days, it appears there was vocal cord damage.  The surgeon is not sure if it is from the surgery or bruising from the breathing tube.

We knew that one of the many risks of surgery was that my fathers voice could end up being a "whisper".... but at the time, it did not pose much threat...we were just praying for him to survive!!  But he does only have a whisper for a voice, and it is really a small price to pay for your life, but I was curious if anyone on the forum had such a problem after surgery?? 

Thank you,

Laura 

On 2/3/2008 lauraf wrote:

Hello,

I forgot to mention this issue in my last posting.

My father had his esophagectomy (for stage 1) 3 weeks ago.  After being re-vented on post-op day 1  for another 4 days, it appears there was vocal cord damage.  The surgeon is not sure if it is from the surgery or bruising from the breathing tube.

We knew that one of the many risks of surgery was that my fathers voice could end up being a "whisper".... but at the time, it did not pose much threat...we were just praying for him to survive!!  But he does only have a whisper for a voice, and it is really a small price to pay for your life, but I was curious if anyone on the forum had such a problem after surgery?? 

Thank you,

Laura 

Laura,

I had the same surgery this past year and my voice has taken seven months to get back to near normal.  I do expect it to continue to improve and with time I've been told it would return.

Jimmie

My voice was raspy in the beginning, and I sounded as if I was forcing my vocal chords, but after about 8 to 10 months it began to sound normal.  Now, four years out, I am perfectly normal and have been for two or three years.  I'm like the above poster, I had almost forgotten about that little side effect also. 

Gerri

Thank you all for the input!  It is so great to have a place to go to for advice, from people who know first hand.

It great to be able to find info for my Dad and give him re-assurance.

Thank you all again!!

my thoughts and prayer are with you all and your families!!

Laura