Bilateral vocal cord palsy after removal of falx meningioma in the hyperflexion of the neck: A case report

ABSTRACT

We experienced a case of bilateral vocal cord palsy following general anesthesia for craniotomy. The patient was a 43-year-old woman undergoing tumor resection for falx meningioma on frontal lobe. She had no laryngeal symptoms prior to operation. Spontaneous ventilation resumed after reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Following extubation, she showed signs of airway obstruction and dyspnea. Reintubation was done and symptoms improved. Three days after operation, we confirmed bilateral vocal cord palsy by fiberoptic laryngoscopy. We suggested that possible causes of bilateral vocal cord paralysis were hyperflexion of neck and long operating time.