Photo: Wenn
Massachusetts General Hospital has issued a statement following Sam Smith’s vocal surgery, stating that he is expected to “make a full recovery”.
After suffering a vocal chord haemorrhage whilst on tour, Sam Smith had to undergo laser microsurgery and was forced to cancel several shows.
Last month, the singer wrote on Instagram: "Dear all: I am very upset to announce I have been battling my vocal cords better the last 10 days but unfortunately they haven't recovered and I am going to need surgery. I'm so gutted to be missing all the shows and events I was meant to be playing at. The doctors say I will be back in 6-8 weeks and I cannot wait to sing for you all soon."
Today, Massachusetts General Hospital issued a statement regarding Smith’s surgery – the statement reads:
"Sam Smith underwent vocal cord microsurgery by Steven Zeitels, MD, to stop recurrent vocal cord hemorrhage (bleeding). This condition is the result of unstable blood vessels in the vocal cord that can rupture and prevent vocal performance. Sam came to Boston to consult and undergo corrective voice surgery with Zeitels, the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center. Zeitels, who is also the Eugene B. Casey Professor of Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard Medical School, has pioneered many vocal cord surgery procedures for benign and malignant problems including the use of specialized lasers to stop vocal cord bleeding in singers. He has performed this unique procedure for many vocalists – including Steven Tyler, Lionel Richie, and Adele – allowing them to return to full performance. Similarly, Zeitels expects Sam to make a full recovery from his laser microsurgery."
This past weekend, Smith won the Billboard Music Award for top male artist. Due to his surgery, he could not attend the ceremony, but he submitted a Love Actually-inspired acceptance speech, which you can watch below:
