Tongue Tied after Shoulder Surgery: A Case Series and Literature Review

• Published in: Case reports in anesthesiology Vol. 2019; no. 2019; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Trentman, Terrence L., Hinni, Michael L., Caswell, Renee E., Rosenfeld, David M., Cain, Rachel B., Kraus, Molly B., Molloy, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2019; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Airway management; Anesthesia; Cardiovascular disease; Case Report; Case reports; Dysphagia; Gastroesophageal reflux; Hypertension; Intubation; Joint surgery; Literature reviews; Maxillofacial surgery; Neurological disorders; Orthopedic surgery; Otolaryngology; Plastic surgery; Rotator cuff; Shoulder; Succinylcholine; Thoracic surgery; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 2090-6382; 2090-6390
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/5392847

This article presents three cases of cranial nerve palsy following shoulder surgery with general anesthesia in the beach chair position. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block. Two cases of postoperative hypoglossal and one case of combined hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies (Tapia’s syndrome) were identified. Through this case series, we provide a literature review identifying postoperative cranial nerve palsies in addition to the discussion of possible etiologies. We suggest that intraoperative patient positioning and/or airway instrumentation is most likely causative. We conclude that the beach chair position is a risk factor for postoperative hypoglossal nerve palsy and Tapia’s syndrome.