Superficial cervical plexus block for vocal cord surgery in an awake pediatric patient.

Abstract

Medialization thyroplasty is a surgical procedure that decreases the incidence of dysphonia and dysphagia in patients who have vocal cord paralysis. We report a case of a pediatric patient who underwent this procedure with minimal sedation and bilateral superficial cervical plexus blockade. The use of a regional technique provided analgesia while allowing the patient to phonate at the request of the surgeon. Medialization thyroplasty is a surgical procedure that decreases the incidence of dysphagia and dysphonia in patients with vocal cord paralysis. This procedure is best performed in a patient who maintains the ability to phonate. We report a case of medialization thyroplasty in a pediatric patient after bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks with minimal sedation.