Bulletin of Emergency And Trauma

Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis after Anterior Cervical Discectomy Following Cervical Spine Injury: A Case Report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Reza Nikandish 1
Alireza Zareizadeh 2
Siavash Motazedian 3
Sam Zeraatian 4
Habib Zakeri 1
Fariborz Ghaffarpasand 5

1 Department of Anesthesiology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.

2 Department of Neurosurgery, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.

3 Department of Otolaryngology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.

4 Department of Acute Care Surgery, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.

5 Trauma Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a rare and preventable complication of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Herein, we report a fatal case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACD/F). A 65-year-old man with cervical spine trauma and anterior cord syndrome, following car overturn presented to our emergency department. The patient had C6-T10 prolapsed discs for which ACD/F was performed. In the recovery room he developed stridor and respiratory distress immediately after extubation, and was reintubated. Otolaryngological evaluation revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. He later required a tracheostomy but finally died in a rehabilitation center after an acute coronary event. Awake fibroptic intubation is recommended in patients at high risk for preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Intraoperative tracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring and modification of surgical approach to neck are recommended to prevent bilateral nerve damage.

Keywords

Anterior cervical discectomy
Anterior cervical fusion
Cervical spine trauma
Vocal cord paralysis
Bulletin of Emergency And Trauma
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
1
Winter 2013
Pages 43-45

  • Receive Date 28 June 2013
  • Accept Date 09 March 2019

Home

Guide for Authors

Publication Fee

Submit Manuscript

Forms

Guide for Reviewers

Contact Us