Adams Apple Removal Surgery

The Adam’s apple removal surgery is used to feminize facial features. It is a tracheal shave in which there is a bump of cartilage that looks like an apple shape. This is thyroid cartilage, which is flexible connective tissue, and it is present in your throat. Adam’s apple develops during puberty, and it is most prominent and visible in the male. It also protects the voice box from injury, and it helps to determine a person’s gender. It is also called chondrolaryngoplasty, which is a facial feminization surgery to enhance femininity.

Why is Adam’s Apple Removed?

Gender in an individual is assigned at birth, which depends on the level of hormones. Like, testosterone is a male hormone that increases the size and volume of voice box and bump of thyroid cartilage. These two formed during puberty, and any changes in these can change the voice of the person. Whereas females do not require it during their puberty, and presence of these can change the appearance of the face. Due to this reason, it is performed to look more feminine, and it is also called facial feminization procedure.

Adam’s Apple Removal Surgery Procedure

Its size will not affect your health, but it can be a problem if a person’s voice does not match with their gender. Like females, they have more masculine features due to their large size. It is possible to remove and reduce its size through surgery, which includes the following steps:-

• Before the Procedure: Prior to the process, your doctor will suggest you stop taking any medicines like aspirin, etc. It is because this medicine is blood thinner and may stop the process of clotting. Doctors will also advise you to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Before starting the operation, you have to stop drinking and eating.
• During The Procedure: It is a surgical process that takes half an hour to one hour, and it includes the following steps:
  • You will be given local anesthesia for numbness.
  • A small horizontal cut is made under your chin or jaw by the surgeon to make sure that this scar will not be visible after the surgery.
  • To locate thyroid cartilage and vocal cords, a small camera is inserted into the cut.
  • Then the bump of cartilage is removed by shaved it.
  • This process is performed by a surgeon carefully without touching vocal cords.
  • After completing the procedure, the cut is sutured.  
• After Procedure: Now the patient will be shifted to the recovery room and will be under observation for a certain period of time. Surgeons will be allowed to go home after advising some important instructions like, avoid speaking loudly, strenuous physical activity, etc, with some medications.

Note: If you experience pain and discomfort for a long period then you should seek medical assistance immediately.

Is there Any Complication In Adam’s Apple Removal Surgery?

Yes, some complications may occur during this minor procedure and these are mentioned below:

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Painful swallowing
• Spasm of the vocal cords while speaking or breathing
• Difficulty in making sounds while speaking
• Soreness

All these complications are not permanent and will go away in a while. It will take one month to fully recover.