Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in a hanging survivor: a case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Complications in survivors after typical hanging have not been well characterized because of the high mortality rate. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a patient with bilateral vocal cord paralysis following typical hanging. A 39-year-old man with depression attempted suicide by hanging. He was in a coma and was transported to our hospital. Emergency endotracheal intubation was carried out. After 10 days of mechanical ventilation, he was extubated. After extubation, his voice was hoarse and stridor was heard. Vocal cord paralysis became apparent by laryngeal fiberscopy, and a tracheotomy was carried out. It resolved gradually 2 months after injury without surgery or drug treatment. CONCLUSION: Although vocal cord paralysis after typical hanging is rare, there is a need for adequate assessment of the airways in survivors of typical hanging as a differential diagnosis of airway edema after extubation.