Surgeons used skin from a man’s arm – including a tattoo of the Grim Reaper – to reconstruct his tongue and larynx in a life-saving operation.
Colin Reilly of Bristol had to record his own voice before surgery in case he was unable to speak during surgery to remove a tumour.
As part of the operation, his jaw had to be split and the lower half of his face reconstructed upon completion.
Mr Reilly said he “cannot do enough” for the hospital that saved him.
Mr Reilly, 50, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2020 and an endoscopy found a tumor on the back of his tongue.
Between October and December 2020, he underwent six weeks of radiotherapy and was tube-fed, but it turned out that the tumor was very advanced and Mr Reilly would have six months to live without treatment.
Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Oliver Dale said he was prepared to perform the operation at Bristol Royal Infirmary, although the location of the tumor makes the operation high risk – with the possibility that Mr Reilly could no longer speak or eat.
“Mr. Dale was incredible,” said Mr. Reilly.
“He told us he believed he could do the surgery even though it was difficult.
“It meant so much to us that he was so encouraging.”
Prior to the operation, Mr Reilly’s voice was recorded so that if he needed to use a speech-generating communication device in the future, he would use his own voice.
The operation, which took place in May 2021, saw Mr Reilly’s jawbone split to allow access to the tumor at the back of his throat.
Surgeons worked to preserve the blood vessels and nerves connected to his tongue and used microscopic techniques to reconstruct the section of tongue that needed to be removed and his larynx.
In this part of the procedure, the Grim Reaper moved from Mr. Reilly’s forearm to his throat.
dr John Collin, the maxillofacial consultant who led the reconstruction surgery, said, “I’m sorry we spoiled Colin’s tattoo, but it’s always good to punch the Grim Reaper.”
dr Dale said 12,000 people are diagnosed with throat cancer in the UK each year.
“Recent advances in technology mean we are able to treat cancer where it may not have been possible before,” he said.
“We are fortunate at Bristol to have a fantastic team who work closely with patients like Colin to help them achieve good outcomes after being treated for advanced head and neck cancer.”
On his first day in intensive care after his operation, Mr Reilly surprised medical staff when he was able to speak.
“Oliver [Dale] almost fell off his chair, he was so surprised!” he said.
Mr. Reilly then worked with the hospital’s speech therapist, Dayna Freeney, on speaking and eating while he recovered.
“Colin had good speech function in the hospital and after two weeks he was able to protect his own airway so we could have that tracheostomy removed,” she said.
Twelve weeks into his operation, Mr Reilly was told scans had shown the tumor had been completely removed and he need not worry.
“It was the best day of my life,” he said.
His partner Lisa said the hospital team has felt like “family” for the past two years.
“Not only have they been so amazing in helping Colin at such a terrible time, but I don’t know what I would have done without their support, which in turn has helped me to support Colin. Incredible people.”
Mr Reilly said he now wants to help people who are in the same situation.
“I know I was lucky, years ago I had a friend who died of throat cancer,” he said.
“I thank God for the technology and surgical advances that have given me this second chance.
“I can’t do enough to pay back the hospital.”
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