Paradoxical vocal cord motion: an often misdiagnosed cause of postoperative stridor.
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.
Larsen
Brian
B
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Caruso
Lawrence J
LJ
Villariet
Douglas B
DB
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008874:Midazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000187:drug effects; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008140:Lorazepam; D008874:Midazolam