Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy after Thyroidectomy Detected by McGrath Videolaryngoscope.
10.16956/kjes.2016.16.3.85
- Author:
Kwangseob SHIN
1
;
Guie Yong LEE
;
Hee Jung BAIK
;
Chi Hyo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. lgyanes@ewha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Bilateral vocal cord palsy;
Intraoperative nerve monitoring;
Thyroidectomy;
Videolaryngoscope
- MeSH:
Dyspnea;
Humans;
Medical Staff;
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve;
Respiratory Sounds;
Thyroid Gland;
Thyroidectomy*;
Vocal Cord Dysfunction;
Vocal Cord Paralysis*;
Vocal Cords*
- From:Korean Journal of Endocrine Surgery
2016;16(3):85-88
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Bilateral vocal cord palsy (BVCP) is a rare complication of thyroid surgery, and it is confusing and frustrating for both patients and medical staff. We found postoperative vocal cord dysfunction using a McGrath videolaryngoscope from a patient with stridor and dyspnea after thyroidectomy performed with intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring. Soon after, the patient was diagnosed with BVCP by an ENT otolaryngologist using a laryngeal fiberscope. The patient underwent exploration and received a permanent tracheostoma. The possibility of false negative findings from intraoperative nerve monitoring should considered if there is suspicion of BVCP in a high risk patient after thyroidectomy. The McGrath video-laryngoscope can be useful for early discovery of postoperative vocal cord dysfunction.
