Johnson shows ‘continued progress’ toward recovery

The doctors who performed the seven-hour reconstructive surgery on USC tailback Stafon Johnson’s throat on Sept. 28 released a statement regarding Johnson’s injury and recovery to clarify conflicting reports.

Dr. Jason S. Hamilton and Dr. Ryan F. Osborne of the Osborne Head and Neck Institute said Johnson suffered an injury “involving more than 70 percent of his larynx.” His voice box was crushed, leaving vital structures for breathing and speech exposed.

Due to Johnson’s injury, in addition to the repairs made on his larynx, “he required placement of a feeding tube from his nose to his stomach, and a tracheostomy tube to help him breathe,” the statement said.

After evaluation of Johnson’s larynx, Hamilton and Osborne noted that Johnson “showed continued progress in a positive direction.” Johnson’s nasogastric tube will be replaced with a gastrostomy tube in order to give Johnson comfort and “to maintain the nutritional balance needed during his recovery.”

Doctors expect Johnson to be discharged from the hospital in a few days.  According to the doctors, Johnson “will require multiple minor laryngeal procedures in the near future, which will be managed on an outpatient basis.”

Doctors believe it is still too early to determine the long-term function of Johnson’s larynx. Despite this, Johnson “has an amazing attitude and a will to overcome all obstacles presented during this difficult time,” the statement said.