Guy’s and St Thomas’ announced on Mar. 30 that it has become the first National Health Service trust in the United Kingdom to offer a regenerative treatment for chronic voice disorders using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections.
This development is significant as chronic voice conditions, such as dysphonia, can cause persistent changes in a person’s voice, including hoarseness, weakness, or fluctuations in pitch and loudness. These symptoms often impact daily communication and quality of life.
The first patient to receive this treatment was David Metherell from London. Metherell developed recurrent respiratory papillomatosis after contracting a rare strain of human papillomavirus (HPV) as an infant. The condition led to wart-like growths on his vocal cords, requiring repeated surgeries throughout his childhood. He described the new procedure as “really impressive and life changing.”
The PRP injection process involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelet-rich plasma, then injecting it into the vocal cords. This method aims to boost natural healing processes, shorten recovery time, and promote tissue regeneration. While PRP is already used for various injuries and cosmetic treatments elsewhere in medicine, its application for laryngeal conditions marks a first within the NHS.
Consultant ENT surgeon Shiying Hey set up the PRP injection trial at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in August 2025. She said: “Not having a good voice can have a huge impact on someone’s life, as they can feel like they’re losing their identity. This new regenerative treatment option for people with chronic voice disorders can help improve dysphonia and vocal functions.” Hey also said: “It is usually performed in our clinic with state-of-the-art facilities, allowing quicker treatment and avoiding the need for general anaesthesia. It is also cheaper than current treatments as we use the patient’s own blood, and it can be longer lasting as the PRP encourages the vocal cords to regenerate and accelerates the healing process.” She added: “It is incredibly exciting to be able to offer this treatment at our centre and to broaden the options available for people living with chronic voice disorders.”
So far ten patients have received PRP injections at Guy's and St Thomas', all reporting improvements in their voices according to Hey.
