Abstract

Introduction: Laryngo-hyoid dislocation is a never before described complication after anterior cervical fusion performed under general anesthesia. Intra-operative laryngeal manipulation leading to dislocation can be life-threatening for the patient because of the resultant substantial change to the upper airway anatomy. The risk factors causing hyoid bone dislocation can be due to calcification of the laryngeal cartilage and morphological changes of the cervical vertebrae along with aging.

Case Report: We report a 53-year-old male patient who underwent anterior fusion of the cervical spine (C3/4, C4/5 and C5/6) for post traumatic cervical PVID performed by the neurosurgery department. Post-operatively, before extubation leftward dislocation of the larynx became apparent. Extubation was therefore postponed and done in CCU next day. The patient suffered an exceedingly rare complication of the surgery – laryngeal dislocation.

Conclusion: If the deformed laryngeal structures had been overlooked and extubation was done as usual after surgery, reintubation would have been impossible due to the associated swelling, which might have led to disastrous consequences.