Diagnosis of bilateral cord vocal paralysis by the Airtraq laryngoscope: A case report

Abstract

The thyroid disease is still common in our country. Divers complications have been described in this type of surgery. Paralysis of the vocal cords and particularly bilateral paralysis are exceptional. The diagnosis is made by examen of the vocal cords before extubation. The standard laryngoscope is the most device commonly used for this indication. The interest of the new devices is not clear. We report the use of the Airtraq laryngoscope for the diagnosis of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after a thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. Through this case and review of the literature, we discuss the interest of the new devices in the diagnosis of this complication and the means of its prevention.

Keywords

• Thyroid surgery
• Bilateral cord vocal paralysis
• Standard laryngoscope
• Airtraq laryngoscope