A nonsurgical trauma causing bilateral adductor palsy of the vocal folds following total thyroidectomy

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Manipal TATA Medical College, Jamshedpur-831017, Jharkhand, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

2 Medical Research Laboratory, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha “O” Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

10.4103/atr.atr_63_22

Abstract

Vocal fold palsy is an uncommon cause of hoarseness of voice following thyroidectomy. The vocal fold palsy can be unilateral or bilateral, with presentation varying accordingly. There are often surgeons blamed for postthyroidectomy vocal fold palsy. However, there are certain subtle factors associated with vocal fold palsy that should be known to clinicians. Bilateral adductor palsy following thyroidectomy is a morbid clinical situation where the patient presents with aphonia and aspiration. Here, we present a case of postop-total thyroidectomy with adductor palsy of bilateral vocal folds. A nonsurgical reason for the vocal fold palsy was suggested by the clinical findings and the patient's recovery. The knowledge of this case management is very important for surgeons to avoid such morbidity among patients.

Keywords

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Archives of Trauma Research
Volume 12, Issue 1
March 2023
Pages 58-60

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 June 2023
  • Accept Date: 19 June 2023

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