Laryngeal abscess after injection laryngoplasty with micronized AlloDerm.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis usually present with dysphonia and occasionally with swallowing problems. Operative management includes thyroplasty type I, injection laryngoplasty, arytenoid adduction, and reinnervation. Recent publications have documented the safety of micronized AlloDerm (Cymetra, LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, NJ) for injection laryngoplasty, but we report the first documented case of a laryngeal abscess after injection laryngoplasty with Cymetra.


METHODS
Single case report of a laryngeal abscess after injection laryngoplasty with Cymetra.


METHODS
The patient's clinical course is presented and discussed, and the pertinent literature is reviewed.


RESULTS
Prompt hospital admission with intravenous antibiotics and steroids resolved this airway emergency. Follow-up visits showed a significantly improved postoperative voice with an intact airway.


CONCLUSIONS
A review of the literature reveals that this case of a laryngeal abscess after injection laryngoplasty with Cymetra is the first of its kind. Studies have shown that the use of AlloDerm in the head and neck region is safe, but otolaryngologists need to be cognizant of potential complications when working with this material.
Voice Treatment Center, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA.
Philip E
PE
Zapanta
Steven A
SA
Bielamowicz
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000601:surgery; D003094:Collagen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000601:surgery
C440568:Alloderm; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen