Arytenoid cartilage dislocation after laparoscopic surgery for treatment of diabetes.

Abstract

I report the occurrence of left arytenoid dislocation in 2 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgical procedures formerly used only for weight loss and that are now being used for treatment of diabetes. After uncomplicated tracheal intubation, a calibrating orogastric tube was inserted into the esophagus blindly and without difficulty. On the second postoperative day, both patients complained of severe hoarseness, for which arytenoid dislocation was diagnosed. I suspect that the insertion of the calibrating orogastric tube in these nonobese patients may have led to the development of this rare complication. Recognition of its occurrence and subsequent treatment are important to preventing long-term consequences of arytenoid dislocation.