Transient isolated lingual nerve neuropraxia associated with general anaesthesia and laryngeal mask use: two case reports and a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Transient, isolated lingual nerve neuropraxia is a rare complication following general anaesthesia. Reports implicate airway manipulation and we describe two new cases associated with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and review the related English language literature.


RESULTS
Unilateral numbness and loss of taste on the anterior tongue were the characteristic symptoms. Collation of literature data (median and range) with that from the new cases showed: patient age was 38 (20-61) years and female to male ratio was 1.2:1. Surgery time was 62.5 (20-150) min and symptom duration was 28 (7-120) days.


CONCLUSIONS
Lingual neuropraxias reported have been transient and patients can be advised, despite disturbing symptoms, that recovery is anticipated in about 1 month. Lingual neuropraxia reports are becoming more frequent, perhaps associated with increasing LMA use. Research is recommended as modification to LMA cuff volume, pressure and/or position within the oral cavity might ameliorate the entity.
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. edfoley@eircom.net
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Mc Dermott
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Shanahan
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Phelan
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D001279:Atracurium / Q000009:adverse effects; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008036:Lingual Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D001279:Atracurium; D008614:Meperidine; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol