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Published on: December 1, 2023
Ludwig's angina as an extremely unusual complication for direct microlaryngoscopy
Andrés Coca Pelaz1, José L Llorente Pendás, Carlos Suárez Nieto
1Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, c/Valdés 10, Oviedo Asturias, Spain. acocapelaz@yahoo.es
Background:
An extremely rare case that to our knowledge has not been reported before is described, in which a patient had a Ludwig's angina as a complication of direct microlaryngoscopy.
Methods:
We report a Ludwig's angina after a direct microlaryngoscopy for a Reinke's edema, due to erosion on the internal face of the mandible produced by compression of the laryngoscope.
Results:
The patient underwent placement of 2 drainages, intraoral and cervical, and several incisions on the floor of the mouth, with intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics and with resolution of the illness without performing tracheostomy.
Conclusions:
Ludwig's angina is an extremely rare complication of microlaryngoscopy, but it is potentially life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment resulted in survival of the patient without complications.
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