Thyroid Cartilage Reduction before after
Lea trachea shave
Catalina Trachea Shave
Nicole trachea shave
Gender of the thyroid cartilage
The Adam’s apple is a characteristic feature of adult men. The name says it all: it’s one of Adam’s, the Man´s, attributes.
Male thyroid cartilage
- Projection of the thyroid cartilage (called Adam’s apple)
Female thyroid cartilage
- No projection of the thyroid cartilage (so no Adam’s apple)
The Adams apple is actually a projecting prominence of the thyroid cartilage, a cartilage that forms the voice box, where the vocal cords are located. During puberty, this cartilage grows more in boys than in girls. This creates a resonance, deepening the voice, whereas girls voices don’t change so much.
Feminizing the thyroid cartilage
A thyroid cartilage reduction (also called trachea shave or Adams Apple reduction) is an effective solution to this problem. The surgeon reduces the cartilage in the throat to make the shape more feminine.
Trachea shave is one of the simplest and swiftest feminization surgeries, but it must be done by an expert surgeon since a too aggressive shave could weaken the larynx structure or voicebox and permanently alter the vocal quality.
We make a scan of the thyroid cartilage and the vocal cords prior to the operation. We exactly measure the distance from the upper part of the thyroid cartilage to the vocal cords. This way we can remove the maximum amount of thyroid prominence, without risking to damage the vocal cords. It is not always possible to make a large Adam’s apple invisible with this procedure, the intent is then to change it from the masculine 90 degree angle to the feminine 120 degree angle.
More information about this CT scan of the thyroid cartilage
Procedure thyroid cartilage reduction
- This can be done as an outpatient procedure with local anasthetic in about 1-2 hours. Many women combine this operation with other procedures under general anasthaesia in the hospital.
- An incision of about 3 cm is placed under the chin, if possible, inside a crease.
- From there a tunnel under the skin is made to the thyroid cartilage. With a bur it’s prominence and upper rim are trimmed.
- The muscles that run along and over the cartilage are united in the middle to cover the remaining prominence.
Recovery of a trachea shave
Swelling— Swelling will peak during the first 24-48 hours, which will completely subside after about 6 weeks.
- Swelling— The evening of the surgery swelling comes up. Swelling will peak during the first 24-48 hours. For some patients this is a threatening feeling because they are afraid they will not be able to bread. The breathing pa-pipe is so strong, you would need a swelling the size of a basketball to create enough pressure to close the breathing pipe. Swelling will will completely subside after about 6 weeks. To see an example of what you can expect as swelling during the first evening of the operation click here
- Pain— For about 7 to 10 days you will probably have a burning sensation and some difficulties when swallowing or talking. Patients report it as being very similar to a simple sore throat.
- Voice— Mild voice weakness may occur in the first few days after surgery, but is normally temporary.
More questions?
Do you have any more questions concerning this procedure? Please use the comment box below to let us know. We will incorporate the questions and the answer in this webpage.
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