Bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by laryngeal mask airway

Abstract 

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is regarded as a safer supraglottic airway for general anesthesia compared with conventional endotracheal tubes. We report a case of bilateral vocal cord palsy temporarily observed after using the LMA, which required urgent tracheotomy. Severe swelling of the arytenoid suggested that bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was caused by prolonged compression on the pyriform fossa. One month later, vocal cord movements were fully recovered. It should be noted that bilateral vocal cord palsy is a possible complication associated with use of the LMA.