Photo Gallery: French surgeon who pioneered vocal cord repair visits Vanderbilt Health, observes seventh procedure

May 26, 2026 - 22:36

A French physician who has dedicated more than 20 years to perfecting a delicate vocal cord repair technique recently visited Vanderbilt Health. The surgeon, named Marie, was a special guest at the second annual Robert H. Ossoff Lecture, where she presented her work. She also observed a live surgery in the operating room, marking the seventh time Vanderbilt has performed this particular procedure.

The technique, known as selective laryngeal reinnervation, aims to restore movement to paralyzed vocal cords. Marie has been a pioneer in refining the method, which involves rerouting nerves to give patients back their voice. Her visit allowed local surgeons to watch her approach firsthand and discuss the nuances of the operation.

Vanderbilt Health has become a key center for this surgery, building a program around the complex nerve repair. The hospital's team has now completed seven such cases, with Marie watching from the gallery during the most recent one. The event highlighted the growing collaboration between international experts and American medical centers in advancing treatments for voice disorders.