Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Dec;33(6):1212-1216. 10.4097/kjae.1997.33.6.1212.

Unilateral Vocal Cord Palsy after Endotracheal Intubation: A case report

• Hwang SO
• Lee GW
• Kang BJ
• Kim SK
• Park NH

• KMID: 2299272
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.33.6.1212

Abstract

Voice changes developing after endotracheal intubation during right hemicolectomy with endotracheal intubation have been found to be due to a right recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 43-years-old male patient. It was likely that the inflated cuffed tube rode up to the level of the cricoid cartilage during the course of surgery as traction was placed on the endotracheal tube because the condenser humidifier and breathing circuit weighed heavy. Cuff overexpansion, in addition to muscle relaxation and decreased tracheal elasticity were considered as contributing factors of vocal cord palsy. We believe that tube traction and cuff overexpansion were the mechanism of vocal cord palsy in our patient. So we recommend the routine use of tube stand so that weigh of the breathing circuit does not transmit traction to the endotracheal tube. Concurrently, filling the cuff with a sample of the inspired mixture of gases, saline and 4% lidocaine in special cases or regular deflation of the cuff must be considered.

Keyword

Complications, intubation, postoperative, unilateral vocal cord palsy

MeSH Terms

Cricoid Cartilage
Elasticity
Gases
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal*
Lidocaine
Male
Muscle Relaxation
Respiration
Traction
Vocal Cord Paralysis*
Vocal Cords*
Voice
Gases
Lidocaine