Mumbai: In a pioneering move, JJ Hospital has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first state-run hospital to introduce transgender voice surgery. Spearheading this groundbreaking initiative is Dr Nupur Nerurkar, an esteemed ENT surgeon from Bombay Hospital, heralded as the first in the state to conduct such transformative procedures.
Dr Pallavi Saple, dean of the JJ group of hospitals, said, “The ENT department will have an outpatient service for patients wanting feminine voice. The procedure will be under the supervision of Dr Nerurkar, who will be doing the surgeries and guiding our doctors.”
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The procedure, known as Wendlers Glottoplasty, has been conceptualized by the renowned German surgeon, Jurgen Wendler, aiming to facilitate a seamless transition for transgender individuals from male to female by refining their vocal characteristics. This innovative surgical intervention holds the promise of assisting transgender patients in attaining a more feminine voice, aligning with what they identify with.
As per a media report by the Hindustan Times, Dr Nerurkar stands among the esteemed thirteen surgeons worldwide who have united to establish the International Association of Trans Voice Surgeons, dedicated to catering to the needs of countless transgender individuals striving to realize their true identities.
Having successfully performed nearly 60 transgender voice surgeries, Dr Nerurkar emphasized the significance of this intervention, particularly in cases where individuals transitioning from male to female encounter obstacles in achieving a desired vocal tone. While the process of testosterone injection facilitates a natural transition to a masculine voice for those transitioning to male within six months, the journey is often impeded for those seeking a feminine voice.
“This set of trans persons wanting to feminise their voice rely on voice modulations. They are taken off guard when they sneeze, cry, or cough their voice becomes masculine. They also face vocal fatigue and mental stress. Voice change is the only permanent solution,” Dr Nerurkar said. According to her, voice-changing surgery used to entail severing the vocal cords and performing a throat incision almost 50 years ago. Over time, it changed, and they currently operate through an endoscope, reports The Daily. “Presently, in the surgery, we endoscopically suture half of the membrane of the vocal fold. By doing so, we shorten the length of the vocal fold, and the pitch goes up. It has a long-term result with no cut on the throat. All my patients are doing well,” she said.
Elaborating on the technical aspects, Dr Saple highlighted the importance of pitch modulation, citing the average voice pitch for adult males at 100 hertz, in contrast to 200 hertz for females. Beyond the surgical intervention itself, JJ Hospital's ENT department is committed to providing comprehensive support, including post-operative speech therapy, to aid patients in their transition journey.
Currently, JJ Hospital, alongside St. George Hospital, stands at the forefront in offering sex change surgeries while GT Hospital has established a dedicated 30-bed ward catering to the specific needs of transgender patients. This holistic approach underscores the hospital's commitment to inclusivity and providing equitable healthcare services to all members of society.
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