A Case of Bilateral Arytenoid Dislocation Caused by Self-extubation

Abstract

We describe herein a case of bilateral arytenoid dislocation caused by self-extubation in a 17-year-old man. He was injured in a motor vehicle accident. He had convulsions, and the emergency medical technician performed intubation. By the time he arrived at our hospital, self-extubation had occurred, and we intubated again.
Four days after the extubation incident, the patient complained of hoarseness and coughing. A fiberoscopic examination revealed immobile bilateral vocal cords in the dilated position and the vocal cords were under tension. Bilateral arytenoid dislocation was suspected from the fiberoscopic and CT findings.
Using a laryngo-microsurgery approach, we raised his bilateral arytenoids using a balloon catheter filled with 2 ml water. After the operation, his vocal cords regained mobility and his voice recovered completely.