Operation gives woman voice back after 11-year silence

A WOMAN who has not uttered a word for more than a decade has had her speech restored thanks to a pioneering transplant.

Brenda Jensen was unable to speak or breathe on her own before the operation — only the second time a voicebox transplant has been performed worldwide.

British surgeon Martin Birchall, professor of laryngology at University College London, was part of the team which gave Jensen back the gift of speech.