A Case of Unilateral Vocal Cord Palsy after Endotracheal Intubation: Could it be due to Arytenoid Subluxation?

Endotracheal intubation can result in complications in 1% of patients, of which hoarseness of voice is a common complaint. One of the rare causes is arytenoid dislocation. A 24 year old patient diagnosed with ruptured ectopic pregnancy was posted for emergency laparotomy. She underwent emergency laparotomy under general anaesthesia. Post operatively, patient developed hoarseness of voice. Further evaluation with fibreoptic bronchoscopy revealed immobile arytenoid cartilage, which improved with conservative management.