Adducted vocal cords relieved by neuromuscular blocking drug: a cause of impaired mechanical ventilation when using a laryngeal mask airway: two photographically documented cases

Abstract

Two cases of vocal cord closure, which was responsible for acute intraoperative impairment of mechanical ventilation in two patients with entropy-controlled depth of anesthesia, are reported. Administration of low-dose neuromuscular blocking drug was associated with immediate vocal cord relaxation and restoration of efficient mechanical ventilation.

Keywords: Laryngeal Mask Airway; Mechanical ventilation; Neuromuscular blocking agent; Vocal cord closure.