Bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion in a case of whiplash cervical spine injury: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a risk of anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion. We discuss the mechanism of vocal cord paralysis and the precautions necessary to avoid this catastrophic complication. A rare case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion (ACD/F) is reported.


METHODS
The patient, a 37-year-old male, was paraplegic, had bilateral intrinsic hand muscle weakness and sphincter involvement following a whiplash cervical spinal injury. A C5-C6 ACD/F for traumatic C5-C6 disc prolapse was performed. On the third postoperative day, he developed difficulty in coughing and a husky voice. Otolaryngological evaluation revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. He later required a tracheostomy that partially alleviated his major symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients undergoing ACD/F, a mandatory preoperative evaluation of the vocal cords should be performed. An appropriate modification in surgical planning should be made if vocal cord palsy is diagnosed preoperatively to prevent bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Proper and judicious use of Cloward retractors is advocated.
Department of Neurosurgery, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
D P
DP
Muzumdar
C E
CE
Deopujari
S Y
SY
Bhojraj
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*