Mom had heart surgery, and head tumor removed 2001, I believe in the process of inserting the breathing tubes down her throat damaged the little flap that opens and closes when you swallow or eat. Since then is not able to eat a thing, shes on a peg, and so tired of been sick. The doctors and specialist in So. Texas have advised our family that the flap is not repairable. Please help with any advise you may have, or doctor that is known to do surgeries to repair this problem.
Question: Any way possible that this could be repaired by surgery? Urently waiting for your answer. If possible where can I find more info. on this deeper problem? other then an ear nose and throat clinic.
Could you please email me info, or mail me brochures on this kind of problem. Any help what so ever will be greatly appreciated!
I feel hopeless what do I do, to help my mom!
Rose/Calif.
2007-03-26 05:05:53 · 3 answers · asked by ramsrose 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The "flap" is the epiglottis.
Epiglottoplasty is a procedure for the treatment of intractable aspiration. Intractable aspiration may require diversion of the airway from the pharynx. The epiglottoplasty procedure involves suturing the epiglottis onto the perimeter of the larynx without creating resistance to the natural lines of force of the epiglottic cartilage.
See link below from Baylor University - has extensive information about swallowing problems and surgical interventions.
I would think you should be able to consult an oto-laryngologist.
2007-03-26 06:28:43 · answer #1 · answered by SouthernAnswer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can live just fine without the epiglottis- in fact, for some people with sleep apnea, we'll remove it on purpose.
i believe the "flap" you're referring to is the vocal cords. the vocal cords can be damaged by the breathing tube or sometimes there can be nerve damage as a result of the heart surgery itself. if the nerves that are innervating the vocal cords were damaged by the surgery, then unfortunately there really isn't anything that can be done. if it is direct vocal cord injury from the breathing tube, then it's possible to fix it- try getting a second opinion from an ENT (ear nose and throat) surgeon.
2007-03-26 09:36:07 · answer #2 · answered by belfus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Epiglottis is what they removed when they inserted the air tubes. Thats weird they didn't need to cut it but I guess it makes things easier for them. Well you can have a prosthetic epiglottis. God bless.
2007-03-26 05:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋