Woman receives 'rare' voice box transplant

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News includes video

A 52-year-old woman in California has become only the second person to ever receive a voice box transplant.

Brenda Charett Jensen lost the ability to speak when she damaged her vocal cords by pulling out her breathing tube while under sedation in hospital 11 years ago.

During the 18 hour operation she had both her voice box and windpipe replaced, something she's described as a miracle.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12253257

[AngryAmish]

1. This is really a complicated procedure

A kidney transplant is easy - it's just plumbing. Connect blood supply and away you go.

The voice box you have to connect nerves. Voluntary and involuntary. I would love to see how it was done.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Another BBC lnk with more information on the subject

The operation took 18 hours ! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12228027

[ceile]

3. Heard her on NPR yesterday.

Amazing story. Those surgeons are incredible.

[slackmaster]

4. Did she sound like James Earl Jones?

I've always wanted to sound like him.

[Iggo]

5. No way. I want to sound like that guy from Journey!

[nilram]

6. In the bbc clip, she sounded more like Yoda, but that was just after the surgery.