BACKGROUND: The laryngeal mask airway (LMAⓇ) Protector™ (Teleflex Medical Co., Ireland) is the latest innovation in the second generation of LMA devices. One distinguishing feature of this device is its integrated, color-coded cuff pressure indicator (Cuff ™ technology) which enables continuous cuff pressure monitoring and allows adjustments when necessary; this ensures patient safety due to better monitoring.CASE: We report a case of postoperative unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy after uncomplicated use of the LMA Protector. To the best of our knowledge, this could be the second reported case.CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that anesthetists need to routinely measure cuff pressure and that the Cuff Pilot™ technology is not a panacea for potential cranial nerve injury after airway manipulation.
Cranial Nerve Injuries ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Laryngeal Masks ; Patient Safety

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimal timing for the repair of persistent incomplete facial paralysis by hypoglossal-facial 'side'-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats.

METHODSA total of 30 adult rats with crushed and bulldog-clamped facial nerve injury were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6 each) that were subjected to injury without nerve repair or with immediate repair, 2-week-delayed repair, 4-week-delayed repair, or 8-week-delayed repair. Three months later, the effects of repair in each rat were evaluated by facial symmetry assessment, electrophysiological examination, retrograde labeling, and axon regeneration measurement.

RESULTSAt 3 months after injury, the alpha angle significantly increased in the group of rats with 4-week-delayed repair compared with the other four groups. Upon stimulation of the facial nerve or Pre degenerated nerve, the muscle action potentials MAPs were recorded in the whisker pad muscle, and the MAP amplitude and area under the curve in the 4-week-delayed repair group were significantly augmented at 3 months post-injury. Similarly, the number of retrograde-labeled motor neurons in the facial and hypoglossal nuclei was quantified to be significantly greater in the 4-week-delayed repair group than in the other groups, and a large number of regenerated axons was also observed.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study demonstrated that hemiHN-FN neurorrhaphy performed 4 weeks after facial nerve injury was most effective in terms of the functional recovery of axonal regeneration and activation of facial muscles.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Facial Nerve ; surgery ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; Facial Paralysis ; etiology ; surgery ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; surgery ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Treatment Outcome

Neurologic complications after shoulder surgery may result from surgical procedures or anesthesia. Hypoglossal nerve is a pure motor nerve that supplies mylohyoid and hyoglossus muscles. Isolated hypoglossal nerve injury may be caused by direct trauma, head malposition (hyperextension or hyperflexion), and indirect compression or traction during intubation. We report a case of left hypoglossal nerve palsy after arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in the beach chair position under general anesthesia combined with brachial plexus block.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Brachial Plexus Block* ; Brachial Plexus* ; Cranial Nerves* ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Equipment and Supplies ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Hypoglossal Nerve* ; Intubation ; Muscles ; Paralysis* ; Shoulder* ; Traction

Hypoglossal nerve palsy after general anesthesia is an exceptionally rare complication, which has varied etiology. We present a case of unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy resulting from repeated airway intervention for general anesthesia. A 57-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo modified radical mastectomy. During endotracheal intubation, the patient had Cormack's grade III-a severe airway condition. After the first intubation attempt failed, the intubation was attempted a second time using a stylet inside the endotracheal tube with cricoid pressure; this attempt was successful. In the evening of the operation day, the patient complained of dysarthria and dysphagia. Physical examination revealed deviation of the tongue to the right, which may have been caused by traumatic hypoglossal nerve injury. This case reviews the pathophysiology, prevention, and management of hypoglossal nerve palsy.
Anesthesia, General* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dysarthria ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Hypoglossal Nerve* ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; Physical Examination ; Tongue

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with selective shunting is the surgical method currently used to treat patients with carotid artery disease. We evaluated the incidence of major postoperative complications in patients who underwent CEA with selective shunting under transcranial Doppler (TCD) at our institution. METHODS: The records of 45 patients who underwent CEA with TCD-based selective shunting under general anesthesia from November 2009 to June 2015 were reviewed. The risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Preoperative atrial fibrillation was observed in three patients. Plaque ulceration was detected in 10 patients (22.2%) by preoperative computed tomography imaging. High-level stenosis was observed in 16 patients (35.5%), and 18 patients had contralateral stenosis. Twenty patients (44.4%) required shunt placement due to reduced TCD flow or a poor temporal window. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.2%. No cases of major stroke were observed in the 30 days after surgery, but four cases of minor stroke were noted. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR], 40; p=0.018) and ex-smoker status (OR, 17.5; p=0.021) were statistically significant risk factors for a minor stroke in the 30-day postoperative period. Analogously, multivariate analysis also found that atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) and ex-smoker status (p=0.002) were significant risk factors for a minor stroke in the 30-day postoperative period. No variables were identified as risk factors for 30-day major stroke or death. No wound complications were found, although one (2.2%) of the patients suffered from a hypoglossal nerve injury. CONCLUSION: TCD-based CEA is a safe and reliable method to treat patients with carotid artery disease. Preoperative atrial fibrillation and ex-smoker status were found to increase the postoperative risk of a small embolism leading to a minor neurologic deficit.
Anesthesia, General ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Embolism ; Endarterectomy, Carotid* ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Ulcer ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; Wounds and Injuries

A recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is known as a complication referring to an anterior cervical spine surgery. However, hypoglossal nerve injury is not well known yet. Herein we report a rare case of a 39-years-old male with a hypoglossal nerve injury after C3/4 osteophyte resection with Smith-Robinson approach. In this case there appeared difficulties of articulation and tongue movement with deviation of the tongue to the left side after the surgery and we diagnosed a hypoglossal nerve injury due to retraction against the nerve during the operation. During the operative approach to the upper cervical spine we had to retract the internal carotid artery and the soft tissue to reach the vertebrae. This retract was the cause of the hypoglossal nerve injury. A gently traction and intermittent release is important to avoid a hypoglossal nerve damage.
Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Male ; Osteophyte ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries ; Spine* ; Tongue ; Traction

The hypoglossal nerve palsy receives only brief mention in most textbooks and compared with other cranial nerve palsies, 12th nerve palsy is much less common. A literature review revealed that in most cases, isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy indicates the presence of an intracranial or extracranial space occupying lesion, head and neck injury, vascular abnormality, infection, autoimmune disease or neuropathy. Reports of idiopathic cases are rare and treated with steroid therapy. We report a 38-year-old woman with isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy improved spontaneously without steroid use. Considering our experience with isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy, we believe that no therapy is required in the patients with hypoglossal nerve palsy of probably idiopathic causes.
Adult ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases* ; Hypoglossal Nerve* ; Neck Injuries ; Paralysis

No abstract available.
Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries* ; Spine*

Oblique basal skull fractures resulting from lateral crushing injuries involving both clivus and occipital condyle are rare due to their deep locations. Furthermore, these fractures may present clinically with multiple cranial nerve injuries because neural exit routes are restricted in this intricate region. The authors present an interesting case of basal skull fractures involving the clivus and occipital condyle and presenting with sixth and contralateral twelfth cranial nerve deficits. Clinico-anatomic correlations and the courses of cranial nerve deficits are reiterated. To the authors' knowledge, no other report has been previously issued on concomitant sixth and contralateral twelfth cranial nerve palsies following closed head injury.
Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Cranial Nerve Injuries ; Cranial Nerves ; Head Injuries, Closed ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Paralysis ; Skull ; Skull Fractures

Tonsillectomy is a common procedure in the ENT department but unusual complications related to nerve injury might be associated with the surgery. We report a case of permanent hypoglossal nerve palsy following tonsillectomy in a 33-year-old female patient. The findings from the neurologic examination were unremarkable except for tongue deviation to the left, hemiatrophy of the tongue and associated dysarthria. Forceful pressure and stretch of hypoglossal nerve during surgery can explain the cause of injury. To avoid nerve compression, intermittent release of the mouth gag and avoidance of neck hyperextension are suggested especially when long operation time would be expected. Although rare, having knowledge of the existence of hypoglossal nerve injury complicating tonsillectomy is important when counseling patients.
Adult ; Counseling ; Dysarthria ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Mouth ; Neck ; Neurologic Examination ; Tongue ; Tonsillectomy