Korean J Anesthesiol.  1998 Nov;35(5):1018-1022. 10.4097/kjae.1998.35.5.1018.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis Associated with Cricoarytenoid Subluxation Following General Anesthesia: A case report

• Song PO
• Lee HS
• Lee SH
• Kim IK
• Shin MK

• KMID: 2240121
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1998.35.5.1018

Abstract

Arytenoid subluxation or recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis may result from injury to the larynx following endotracheal intubation or blunt laryngeal trauma. Early diagnosis is important for appropriate treatment and better prognosis. A 62-years-old man was admitted for cholecystectomy. He was intubated without any difficulty and nasogastric tube was inserted with the help of laryngoscope and Magill forcep before surgery. He had a weak voice and hoarseness after atraumatic extubation and those symptoms did not improve even 2 days after. Indirect laryngoscopy, videolaryngotelescopy, electromyography(EMG) and computed tomographic findings revealed anterior, inferior subluxation of left cricoarytenoid cartilage associated with left thyroarytenoid muscle denervation and resultant unilateral vocal cord palsy. Conservative treatment for 40 days after the operation and follow-up examination was done. The voice quality was improved and indirect laryngoscopy examination showed that right vocal cord crossed midline in a attempt to meet its paralyzed counterpart on phonation.

Keyword

Anatomy: larynx; Complication: cricoarytenoid subluxation; recurrent nerve paralysis

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General*
Cartilage
Cholecystectomy
Denervation
Early Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Hoarseness
Intubation, Intratracheal
Laryngeal Muscles
Laryngoscopes
Laryngoscopy
Larynx
Paralysis*
Phonation
Prognosis
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve*
Surgical Instruments
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Vocal Cords
Voice
Voice Quality