PHOENIX — Mayo Clinic has announced a significant achievement in organ transplantation, offering hope to those who have lost their ability to speak, swallow, and breathe independently due to diminished function or loss of their larynx. A multidisciplinary team of doctors in Arizona performed the third known total larynx transplant in the U.S., marking the first such procedure conducted as part of a clinical trial and on a patient with active cancer.
"The surgery and patient's progress have exceeded our expectations," said David Lott, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) - Head and Neck Surgery/Audiology at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "This is a tremendous accomplishment in launching what we believe is the future for laryngeal transplantation."
A paper by Dr. Lott on the case was published July 9 in the peer-reviewed medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The larynx, located in the throat, is commonly known as the voice box. Larynx transplantation is a rare and complex procedure performed only a handful of times globally. Mayo Clinic's surgical team successfully executed this intricate transplant on a patient with active cancer, making it one of the first cases worldwide.
Six surgeons at Mayo Clinic conducted the 21-hour operation, which included transplanting not only the larynx but also the pharynx, upper trachea, upper esophagus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, blood vessels, and nerves.
The recipient was Marty Kedian from Massachusetts, diagnosed with chondrosarcoma—a rare form of laryngeal cancer. Over ten years and dozens of surgeries had left Kedian unable to speak or swallow normally. He had undergone a tracheostomy that allowed him to breathe through a hole in his neck but significantly diminished his quality of life.
"I was alive, but I wasn't living," said Kedian. "I love to talk to people everywhere I go, and I just couldn't. I felt strange and wouldn't go out anywhere." After declining further surgery options that involved complete removal of his larynx (laryngectomy), Kedian found hope at Mayo Clinic's Larynx and Trachea Transplant Program led by Dr. Lott.
Kedian became Mayo Clinic's first patient for total larynx transplant under this clinical trial on February 29. "I wanted this so I could talk and breathe normally with my new granddaughter," he said.
This case represents an essential step towards making such transplants available more widely by allowing thorough scientific investigation into their safety and efficacy. "Until now, laryngeal transplants have been done as one-offs," noted Dr. Lott.
The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 12,650 new cases of laryngeal cancer in the U.S. this year alone—many patients previously without hope for such procedures due to risks associated with immunosuppressive therapy necessary post-transplantation.
Kedian’s unique situation—already being on immunosuppressive therapy from a previous kidney transplant—allowed this groundbreaking surgery without introducing additional risk according to Girish Mour,M.B.B.S., medical director of the program.
Four months post-surgery sees Kedian speaking with his new voice while swallowing and breathing independently—a recovery Dr. Lott describes as remarkable: "Mr.Kedian has already regained about 60%of his voice...He can also eat hamburgers...and swallow with no problem."
Reflecting on this breakthrough Marshall Strome,M.D., pioneer behind world's first total laryngectomy back-in1998 praised: "This signifies monumental breakthrough representing future where every patient needing total-laryngectomy will-have option reconstruction maintaining quality-of-life."
Dr.Lott regards-Kedians-case capstone decades-research aimed pushing-boundaries-science-forward preserving health-quality-life-patients suffering-from-layngeal dysfunction: “Our dedication thousands individuals…trusted options preserve health-quality-life.”
Kedian returns-to-Massachusetts-next week excited read bedtime-stories-granddaughter hoping inspire others facing similar challenges:"My job-now-get better next-show others-they-can-do too."
Mayo-Clinic-nonprofit organization committed innovation-clinical practice education research providing compassion expertise answers everyone-needs healing.Visit-Mayo-Clinic-News-Network-additional-news.
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