Intubation-Related Vocal Cord Palsy

Abstract

Objective: 1) To review the incidence of intubation-related vocal cord palsy. 2) To analyze the risk factors of intubation-related vocal cord palsy and review literature.

Method: Prospective study of patients who received general anesthesia by intubation from January 2010 to August 2011 in otolaryngology department. Patients who complained of hoarseness after operation will undergo flexible laryngoscopy to look for vocal palsy and will be included in this study.

Results: A total of 2511 patients received general anesthesia by intubation in otolaryngology department. Six patients developed post-operative vocal palsy, including 5 men and 1 woman ages 47 to 67 years old. Time of endotracheal cuff inflation varies from 45 minutes to 1675 minutes. These 6 patients had neck hyperextension during operation. Recovery time of vocal palsy in each patient was less than 10 weeks. The incidence of intubation-related vocal palsy is around 0.2% in otolaryngology department, considerably higher than the literature reports. Prolonged endotracheal cuff inflation time and neck hyperextension could be the reasons for the higher incidence.

Conclusion: The incidence of intubation-related vocal palsy in otolaryngology department is 0.2%. Risk factors are the same as the literature, including prolonged endotracheal cuff inflation time, and neck hyperextension position.