기관내 삽관에 의한 전신 마취 후 발생된 성대 마비

Vocal Fold Paralysis Following General Anesthesia with Endotracheal Intubation

Background and Objectives : Vocal fold paralysis is an unusual complication following endotracheal intubation. We experienced five cases and analyzed their causes and preventions. Materials and Methods : We reviewed 5 cases of vocal fold paralysis following general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation at Ewha Womans University Hospital from September 1997 to May 1999 retrospectively. Results : Four cases were unilateral vocal fold paralysis(3 cases were left side, 1 case was right side) and a case was bilateral vocal fold paralysis. Conclusion : Vocal fold paralysis following endotracheal intubation is the result of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage. This damage can occur as the result of compressing the anterior branch of recurrent laryngeal nerve between an inflated endotracheal tube cuff and thyroid cartilage. Prevention of this complication lies in eliminating the use of endotracheal tubes with cuff inflated unevenly, desisting from the practice of deliberately placing the cuff within the larynx, and filling the cuff with a sample of the inspired mixture of gases.