Vocal cord paralysis after tracheal intubation

Abstract

In skilled hands, tracheal intubation during anesthesia is a relatively safe procedure. Nonetheless, laryngeal complications may occur after intubation, although they are usually transient and minor. Sore throat occurs about 40% of the time and usually lasts 48 to 72 hours.¹Laryngitis has been reported after 3% of intubations and may last several days. Postintubation laryngeal edema occurs rarely in adults, but can be a distressing complication in infants and young children. Occasionally, membrane formation and laryngeal ulceration have been reported. Lesions on the vocal cords seem to be rare, but granulomas or ulcerations have been reported, particularly after prolonged tracheal intubation. A few cases of vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal anesthesia have been reported.^2-4The following four case reports illustrate this complication. <h3>Report of Cases</h3><h3>Case 1.—</h3> A 64-year-old man entered the hospital with a history of worsening intermittent claudication of the left leg. He was admitted