[Vocal fold paralysis in children: diagnostic and management from a case report]

The vocal fold paralysis accounts for 10% of the larynx congenital abnormality, being the second most common cause of laryngeal stridor in childhood. In case the unilateral vocal fold paralysis is considered, the main cause is left-sided iatrogenic injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, secondary to surgery to correct the patent ductus arteriosus. In this study we reviewed the literature, reporting a case of a child who, after having undergone surgery to close the patent ductus arteriosus, evolved with breathing difficulty and dysphonia. We suggest that flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is carried out pre- and post surgery of children for whom heart surgery to correct congenital abnormalities is indicated, thus allowing for early diagnosis of vocal fold paralysis and therefore to define as soon as possible the conduct to be followed.