After a 5-hr surgery, UP man gets his voice back

Lucknow, Aug 7 (IANS) A 28-year-old labourer in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district lost and then found his voice within 10 days.

On July 27, he had an accident in which his oesophagus (food pipe), trachea (wind pipe) and vocal cords were severed.

He was rushed to the King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow where surgeons performed a five-hour long precise surgery in which they repaired the severed pipes and fixed his vocal cords.

Even though doctors were of the view that chances of return of his voice were extremely rare, he did make a sound on being asked.

According to the head of the thoracic surgery department, Dr Shailendra Yadav, it was not rare but a case of this kind where a person could survive despite severed oesophagus (food pipe) and trachea (windpipe) has never been heard of.

He got dragged by the wired fence of a field in order to save an animal which came in the middle of the road while he was riding a bike.

"We were not sure that person would speak in the future but luckily his voice has also returned," said Dr Yadavendra.

KGMU Vice Chancellor, Lt Gen (Retd) Prof Bipin Puri, has congratulated the team.