Journal List > Korean J Endocr Surg > v.16(3) > 1060172

Shin, Lee, Baik, and Kim: Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy after Thyroidectomy Detected by McGrath Videolaryngoscope

Abstract

Bilateral vocal cord palsy (BVCP) is a rare complication of thyroid surgery, and it is confusing and frustrating for both patients and medical staff. We found postoperative vocal cord dysfunction using a McGrath videolaryngoscope from a patient with stridor and dyspnea after thyroidectomy performed with intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring. Soon after, the patient was diagnosed with BVCP by an ENT otolaryngologist using a laryngeal fiberscope. The patient underwent exploration and received a permanent tracheostoma. The possibility of false negative findings from intraoperative nerve monitoring should considered if there is suspicion of BVCP in a high risk patient after thyroidectomy. The McGrath videolaryngoscope can be useful for early discovery of postoperative vocal cord dysfunction.

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