Late displacement of a Montgomery thyroplasty implant following endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVES

We document a late displacement of a thyroplasty implant following endotracheal intubation.

METHODS

A 66-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a chief complaint of breathy dysphonia immediately following an elective inguinal hernia repair under general endotracheal anesthesia. The patient's medical history was significant for a medialization laryngoplasty with a Montgomery implant 14 years earlier.

RESULTS

Examination and computed tomographic scanning of the neck confirmed displacement of the implant. The patient underwent revision medialization laryngoplasty with successful restoration of his voice quality.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report illustrates a potential complication of endotracheal intubation in patients who have previously undergone vocal fold medialization procedures.