[Vanishing glottis cyst following difficult intubation]

A 68-year-old male patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Following anesthesia induction and muscle relaxation, laryngoscopy using Macintosh laryngoscope found a tumor of thumb size above the glottis completely obscuring the vocal cords. There appeared to be a possibility of tumor impaction into the glottis leading to total obstruction when the tumor was pushed down by a tracheal tube. Consent was obtained for emergency tracheostomy if necessary. The glottis and its surrounding were thoroughly observed using a fiberscope via the Fastrach laryngeal mask. The tumor appeared to be a soft cyst. A fiberoptic bronchoscope, tentatively introduced into the gap between the cyst and the epiglottis, went unexpectedly and smoothly into the trachea. A tracheal tube was introduced railroading over it. Information collected so far suggested that the patient was able to breathe without tracheal tube. As expected the patient did not show any difficulty in breathing and phonation following extubation. Seven days afterward, E.N.T. surgeon found no evidence of scarring or healing in the throat. The cyst might have been ruptured at the time of extubation or afterward, or absorbed.