A case of arytenoid dislocation after ProSeal laryngeal mask airway insertion: A case report

Arytenoid dislocation, typically manifested as hoarseness and coughing when drinking, is a rare perioperative scenario, with an incidence rate of 0.009 %-0.097 % and endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia being the most common cause. However, arytenoid dislocation caused by a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is extremely rare.

Herein, a 53-year-old female patient was admitted for a "right breast lump" and scheduled for "unilateral mastectomy with ipsilateral axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy" under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the patient was noted to snore mildly, and rocuronium (15 mg) was immediately administered intravenously. The snoring ceased after adjusting the position of the LMA. Postoperatively, the patient was diagnosed with arytenoid dislocation by flexible nasal endoscopy after presenting with a sore throat accompanied by hoarseness and coughing when drinking. Thereafter, the patient underwent two cricoarytenoid joint reductions with a video laryngoscope under intravenous anesthesia, along with anti-inflammatory medication and voice therapy. The voice of the patient returned to normal after 1 month.

Despite being a supraglottic airway device, the LMA can still cause arytenoid dislocation in clinical practice. Hence, anesthesiologists should analyze the potential causes and understand the diagnosis and treatment of arytenoid dislocation. Although closed reduction surgery typically requires two or three attempts, with a shorter disease duration leading to better outcomes, it can also aid in voice recovery for a longer disease course. In the presented case, the patient achieved a good prognosis after two closed reduction surgeries.

Anesthesiologists should be vigilant for arytenoid dislocation in patients who present with persistent hoarseness and coughing while drinking after the insertion of the LMA, necessitating prompt treatment after diagnoses to achieve the best results.