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Tapia's syndrome after thoracotomy
Archives of Otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Tapia's syndrome, characterized by tongue and vocal cord paralysis, can occur after thoracotomy. This rare condition likely results from localized nerve damage at the vagal and hypoglossal nerve crossing.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Tapia's syndrome is a rare neurological condition.
- It involves unilateral tongue muscle paralysis and vocal cord palsy.
Observation:
- Two cases of Tapia's syndrome were observed post-thoracotomy.
- The syndrome manifested shortly after the surgical procedure.
Findings:
- The syndrome is attributed to a localized lesion at the vagal and hypoglossal nerve junction.
- Potential causes include pressure neuropathy from laryngeal cuff inflation or nerve stretching due to esophageal traction.
Implications:
- Highlights a potential iatrogenic complication of thoracotomy.
- Suggests careful consideration of nerve integrity during thoracic procedures.