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Difficulty in shaving: a rare complication after total laryngectomy
Rajeshwari Aroor1, Deviprasad Shetty, Gangadhara Somayaji
1Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery, Yenepoya Medical College, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
American Journal of Otolaryngology
|November 3, 2009
Summary
A rare complication after total laryngectomy, where patients cough when shaving, is reported. This unusual symptom is likely caused by cross-nerve reinnervation, a finding not previously documented in medical literature.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Laryngectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the larynx, can lead to various complications.
- While many sequelae are documented, novel complications continue to be identified.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old male, post total laryngectomy for stage 3 laryngeal carcinoma, experienced coughing when shaving his beard.
- This symptom emerged 4 months after the surgical intervention.
Findings:
- The reported complication of coughing during shaving after laryngectomy is previously undocumented.
- Cross-nerve reinnervation is hypothesized as the underlying cause for this unusual presentation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for unexpected neurological sequelae following laryngectomy.
- Understanding cross-nerve innervation may inform surgical techniques and patient management to prevent similar complications.
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