Tapia's syndrome as an uncommon complication after cervical spine surgery with tracheostomy: a case report and literature review.

Mega, Chiara; Ricci, Alessandro; Giannone, Sandra; Facchini, Fabio; Gasbarrini, Alessandro · Spine Deform · 2020

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to present a rare case of Tapia's syndrome (hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerve apraxia) following cervical spine surgery with tracheostomy. Clinical data were collected from patient's medical records. After uneventful cervical spine surgery with tracheostomy, the patient reported mild dysphagia and dysphonia. Clinical examination and electromyography confirmed unilateral hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal disfunction, contralateral to surgical access. Neural damage was transitory and full functional recovery was achieved within 12 months. Tapia's syndrome can be a rare complication of cervical spine surgery with tracheostomy, due to multiple factors, including tracheostomy cuffed cannula and cervical spine position during surgery.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy