Vocal cord palsy: A rare complication of spinal anesthesia

Abstract

Cranial nerve palsy is a known but rare complication of spinal anesthesia. Upper cranial nerves are more commonly involved following spinal anesthesia. Reports of the lower cranial nerve, especially branches of vagus nerve involvement leading to unilateral or even bilateral vocal cord palsy are sparse. Here, we report a case series of patients who presented with vocal cord palsy following spinal anesthesia.

Keywords

• spinal anesthesia
• recurrent laryngeal nerve
• vocal cord palsy