Extra-laryngeal complications of suspension laryngoscopy.
Although suspension laryngoscopy is routinely used in laryngeal surgery, there are only few studies on the complications of this procedure.


OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the complications outside the larynx following suspension laryngoscopy and analyze their relation with surgery duration.


METHODS
Thirty-seven procedures were prospectively analyzed for intervention-related complications. The study included patient preoperative and postoperative assessment, focusing on dental, mucosal and nerve status (hypoglossal and lingual nerves).


RESULTS
Most procedures (27/37) were associated to some kind of complication, and mucosal injuries were the most common; temporary nerve lesions were observed in five cases and dental injuries in one case. Statistic significance was found between surgery duration and mucosal injury (lesions smaller than 1 centimeter), showing that longer procedure pose higher risks for these complications.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that suspension laryngoscopy is frequently associated with complications outside the larynx. Although these injuries represent a low risk of significant morbidity, they can be avoided if more accurate techniques are used.
Dos Anjos Corvo
Marco Antonio
MA
MD. Otorhinolaryngologist and graduate student in Laryngology - Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, Attending Otorhinolaryngologist - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
Inacio
Alessandra
A
MD. Otorhinolaryngologist - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
de Campos Mello
Marina Bacal
MB
6th year Medical Student - Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo.
Alessandra Eckley
Cláudia
C
PhD. Assistant Professor - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
Campos Duprat
André de
A
PhD. Assistant Professor - Otorhinolaryngology Department - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo; Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology