This case report highlights the emergence of new complications associated with old procedures as the frequency of their use increases. A 29-year-old man with aplastic anemia was admitted for a bone marrow transplant. Before this procedure, a Hickman line was inserted. This was followed by hoarseness of voice. An examination revealed an immobile left vocal cord. Further investigations did not show any cause for this complication. Therefore, the hoarseness and vocal cord paralysis was attributed to trauma associated with the insertion of the Hickman line.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Payne-James JJ: Nutrition support. In: Clinical Surgery in General RCS Course Manual, ed. 3, ed. by Kirk RM.New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1999, pp 129-138.
2.
Martin-Hirsch DP, Newbegin CJ: Right vocal fold paralysis as a result of central venous catheterization. J Laryngol Otol109:1107-1108, 1995.
3.
Last RJ: Last's Anatomy Regional and Applied, ed. 9.New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1994.
4.
Christopher K, Arbelaez C, Yodice PC: Bilateral vocal cord dysfunction complicating short-term intubation and the utility of heliox. Respiration69:366-368, 2002.
5.
Lu YH, Hsieh MW, Tong YH: Unilateral vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal intubation—a case report. Acta Anaesthesiol Sin37:221-224, 1999.
