Author ORCID Identifier
Dr Vyshnavi S: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-0649-4326
Dr Ashwini N: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-6417-1525
Dr Chillara Meena: https://orcid.org/ 0009-0005-0139-4229
Abstract
Laryngospasm is the sustained closure of the vocal cords resulting in partial or complete loss of airway patency. Among the several causes of laryngospasm, history of total thyroidectomy performed several years back, though reported, is a rare occurrence. We present here the case report of a lady with an uneventful intra operative course of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy who developed stridor and laryngospasm in the immediate post operative period. Evaluation revealed unilateral vocal cord palsy and hypocalcemia. Compensated unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and asymptomatic hypocalcemia can exist in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy and can result in stridor several years later. A pre-operative calcium estimation and documentation of the vocal cord position by indirect laryngoscopy will help the anesthesiologist to be better prepared to deal with the complications.
Publication Date
2024
Publisher
JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research
Conflict of Interest
No conflicts of interest
Keywords
Laryngospasm; Laryngeal Nerve Palsy, Recurrent; Thyroidectomy; Hypocalcemia
Word Count
939
Recommended Citation
Sriram V, N A, Meena C.
A Previous Thyroidectomy- the Culprit of Laryngospasm Several Years On!.
Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine.
2024;
6(3):
-.
doi:
https://doi.org/10.55691/2582-3868.1201
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Anesthesiology Commons, Diseases Commons, Health Information Technology Commons, Medical Education Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons