Needle Fracture During Injection Medialization Laryngoplasty

Abstract

Objectives: Awake injection medialization laryngoplasty is one of the most common therapeutic procedures done by laryngologists in the office or at the bedside. Complications of injection needle fracture are rarely reported. Methods: This is a case report of a 59-year-old male inpatient who developed left vocal fold immobility with significant glottic insufficiency after pneumonectomy for a large left-sided lung cancer. During bedside injection medialization using thyrohyoid approach, the 25 G needle fractured at the hub and was embedded partly in pre-epiglottic space and partly extending over rima glottidis. Results: Fractured needle was successfully retrieved at the bedside with an endoscopic biopsy forcep using flexible bronchoscope. Conclusion: It is imperative to be aware of rare complications of routine procedures like injection laryngoplasty so they can be managed timely and effectively.