Paradoxical vocal cord motion: an often misdiagnosed cause of postoperative stridor

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 230 - 234
• Main Authors: Larsen, Brian, Caruso, Lawrence J, Villariet, Douglas B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-05-2004; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Airway management; airway obstruction; Airway Obstruction - diagnosis; Airway Obstruction - drug therapy; Airway Obstruction - etiology; Anesthesia; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Anesthetics, Intravenous - therapeutic use; Asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnosis, Differential; dysfunction; Emergency medical care; Family medical history; Female; Fiber Optic Technology; Heart rate; Humans; Intubation; Laryngoscopy - methods; Larynx; Lorazepam - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Midazolam - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Ostomy; paradoxical motion; Patient education; Postoperative Complications - diagnosis; Postoperative Complications - drug therapy; postoperative respiratory distress; Respiratory Sounds - diagnosis; Respiratory Sounds - drug effects; stridor; Throat; vocal cord; Vocal Cords - drug effects; Vocal Cords - physiopathology; airway obstruction; postoperative respiratory distress; stridor; vocal cord; paradoxical motion; dysfunction; Postoperative; Stridor; Anesthesia; Vocal cord
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2003.08.010

This conference reports a case of acute functional airway obstruction occurring in the postoperative anesthesia care unit, which was diagnosed by fiberoptic laryngoscopy and successfully treated with intravenous midazolam after other more common causes of stridor were ruled out. The presentation, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of paradoxical vocal cord motion as it relates to the care of the postoperative patient are discussed.