Adele's Famous Throat Doctor Made Tonight's Soaring Return Possible

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — It was an amazing performance that got the Grammy audience on their feet.

Adele, who last year couldn't sing -- or talk -- for months due to a vocal chord hemorrhage -- she likened it to a black eye in her throat -- sang publicly tonight and got a standing O -- not to mention six Grammy awards.

But CBS2 Health Reporter Lisa Sigell tells us that if not for Dr. Steven Zeitels, tonight's acclaimed return to live singing might not have happened. Sigell profiled Dr. Zeitels -- called a miracle worker by many -- on the CBS2 News following this evening's Grammys.

After her voice literally gave out last October, Adele had to cancel her tour. Her career was in jeopardy.

She went under the knife last November. Adele talked to Anderson Cooper for "60 Minutes" and explained that non-cancerous polyps had to be removed.

Voice restoration specialist Zeitels, stepped up to the plate.  He tells Sigell, "The laser technology is called a KTP or a greenlight laser...it's exactly the technology I used with Steven Tyler and its exactly what I use to treat almost all cancers endoscopically, it is a wonderful."

In addition to Adele and Steven Tyler, Zeitels has also performed career-saving surgeries for  the Who's Roger Daltry, Julie Andrews and Cher.

While the Boston-based Dr. Zeitels has high-profile clients like the aforementioned superstars of music, most of his clients are run-of-the-mill average Joes and Joannes. And the same problem -- using the voice too much -- can affect a superstar just as easily as it can a teacher or Wall Street banker.

To completely heal, Dr. Zeitels had to talk Adele into not talking for two months post surgery. "It was really hard to get my point across," he says, matter-of-fact.

Dr. Zeitels is regarded as a prolific surgical innovator having designed numerous new voice restoration procedures and instruments. He also holds a number of patents for innovative operating techniques.

As for Adele, considered herself as an innovator, tonight is only a precursor to life ahead. There is no reason, Dr. Zeitels believes, to think Adele is going to need tune ups. "I think she is repaired," he says, "and I think she is going to continue to do wonderfully."