This is really fascinating if you're interested in medical science and technology. The same process and idea behind trans-dermal implant piercings has now been used to enable a cancer survivor to swallow for the first time in two years. Peter Belafsky, a California surgeon who specializes in voice and swallowing disorders, was inspired when he took his own daughters to get their ears pierced and saw the multiple piercings on the counter girl at the shop.
Dr. Belafsky had been working on ways to treat Oropharyngeal dysphagia, a condition that prevents the patient from swallowing (which obviously includes eating and drinking) because the esophagus doesn't open and close like it should. The piercing gave Dr. Belafsky the idea to use an implanted device that would allow the patient to operate the esophagus functions manually. Since it's a new concept and the FDA doesn't allow clinical trials on anything they haven't approved, the idea was tested (successfully) on a physician and tonsil cancer survivor from Uruguay who had lost esophageal function after undergoing radiation therapy on his throat area.
By implanting a small plate and rod, which greatly resembles the anchor piece of a trans-dermal implant piercing, into the man's trachea, the patient now has full manual control to open and close his esophagus as needed. The tip of the rod acts as a For the first time in two years, Daniel Fiandra is not only swallowing but learning to eat and drink as well. All because a guy took his daughters to get their ears pierced!
Another Cool Implant Story: Photography Professor Had Camera Mount Implanted In the Back of His Head
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