Korean J Anesthesiol.  2009 Feb;56(2):200-203. 10.4097/kjae.2009.56.2.200.

Unilateral vocal cord palsy occurred after difficult endotracheal intubation using intubating laryngeal mask airway: A case report

• Mun CS
• Kim HT
• Heo HE
• Lee JH
• Kwon YE

• KMID: 2299318
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2009.56.2.200

Abstract

Airway management is important during general anesthesia. Difficulties with a direct laryngoscopy can be managed successfully in a routine manner using a laryngeal mask airway. A 65-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo gynecologic surgery. After injecting the intravenous induction agents and muscle relaxants, intubation was attempted with a direct laryngoscope. However, the vocal cords could not be observed with only the epiglottis being slightly visible. Although intubation was re-attempted by another anesthesiologist, it failed. Intubation was successfully performed via an intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) after additional 100% oxygen mask ventilation. We report a case of vocal cord palsy subsequent to tracheal extubation after endotracheal intubation via ILMA.

Keyword

Difficult intubation; Hoarseness; Intubating laryngeal mask airway; Laryngeal mask airway; Vocal cord palsy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Airway Extubation
Airway Management
Anesthesia, General
Epiglottis
Female
Gynecologic Surgical Procedures
Hoarseness
Humans
Intubation
Intubation, Intratracheal
Laryngeal Masks
Laryngoscopes
Laryngoscopy
Masks
Muscles
Oxygen
Ventilation
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Vocal Cords
Oxygen