Tapia's syndrome as an uncommon complication after anterior cervical disc surgery

Abstract

Tapia’s syndrome, also known as extracranial paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal and hypoglossal nerves, is a rare condition involving airway control under general anesthesia. Here, we report on a 34-year-old man who had Tapia’s syndrome after a C5–6 anterior cervical microdiscectomy and fusion. In the early postoperative period, his left hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves were shown to be paralyzed. His symptoms were resolved over the next month by corticosteroid treatment. This is a relatively uncommon complication that any surgeon should consider. Physicians should remain alert to the orientation of the endotracheal tube before and during patient placement to avoid unnecessary neck flexion or extension.

Keywords

• Tapia's syndrome
• Complication
• Anterior cervical discectomy