[Utility of heliox during treatment of upper airway obstruction secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy].
Helium is a noble gas whose low density decreases airway resistance. This property is utilized when a mixture of helium and oxygen (heliox) is employed in certain clinical situations, particularly in the context of airway obstruction. We report the case of a woman with severe upper airway obstruction due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy. Heliox was used temporarily to reduce respiratory effort and avoid the need for tracheal intubation while the obstruction was being treated with antiinflammatory drugs.
San Luis Calo
E
E
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela. esanlu@yahoo.es
Ares Rodríguez
X
X
Blanco Casais
N
N
Masid Gómez
A
A
Cortiñas Díaz
J
J
Alvarez Escudero
J
J
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014939:Work of Breathing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006371:Helium; C038949:heliox; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010100:Oxygen