Specialists at HCG Suchirayu Hospital in Hubballi have successfully restored the voice and swallowing function of a 55-year-old male by performing a specialised procedure.

Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Thursday, consultant ENT and laryngology surgeon Puneeth P.J. said that the patient was suffering from unilateral vocal cord paralysis associated with multiple cranial nerve involvement.

They restored his voice and swallowing function through a specialized procedure known as Injection Medialization Thyroplasty.

Dr. Puneeth said that the patient from Hubballi was experiencing severe hoarseness of voice, difficulty in speaking and swallowing and as the condition progressed, communication had become increasingly difficult.

“Following a detailed clinical evaluation, the patient was diagnosed of unilateral vocal cord palsy accompanied by multiple cranial nerve involvement, a rare condition that affects the movement of one side of the larynx, leading to significant voice impairment and swallowing difficulties,” he said.

“Cases involving multiple cranial nerve dysfunction are relatively uncommon and often require specialized intervention. In this case, the neurological involvement was found to be secondary to a previous stroke, which had resulted in impairment of the cranial nerves responsible for vocal cord function and swallowing,” he said.

After a comprehensive assessment, the procedure was successfully completed in approximately 45 minutes. Following the intervention, the patient experienced significant improvement in vocal clarity, communication ability and swallowing function, enabling a return to routine activities with renewed confidence, he said.

Dr. Puneeth said that the case was particularly unique because of the involvement of multiple cranial nerves which added complexity to both diagnosis and treatment.

“Through Injection Medialization Thyroplasty, we were able to restore better vocal cord function and significantly improve the patient’s ability to speak and swallow, ultimately enhancing their quality of life,” he said.

Chief Operating Officer of HCG Suchirayu Hospital Manjunath H.D. said that not many are aware of the fact that such advanced procedures can be performed in Hubballi that too at an affordable cost. The procedure is covered under government insurance schemes also, he said.

Dr. Puneeth said that people who speak for long hours, including teachers, should take a break in between sessions and drink a lot of water to avoid vocal cord related ailments.