Laryngospasm

Laryngospasm is a physiological defensive reflex that prevents aspiration. It is one of the possible complications for inducting and waking a patient from anesthesia. The patient manifests difficulty breathing with distantly audible wheezing, a gradual decrease in saturation, sometimes tachycardia.


 * caused by laryngeal irritation (fluid, food, examination, inflammation) → tightening of the larynx sphincters,
 * during anesthesia it can be caused by manipulation in the larynx (intubation, extubation), salivation or aspiration in case of vomiting


 * Symptomatology


 * sudden cessation of breathing, respiratory arrest, panic fear, seizure sometimes ends spontaneously.


 * Therapy


 * can be canceled by another reflex (blow to the chest, irritation of the nasal mucosa, pulling of the root of the tongue).
 * during anesthesia, we administer assited ventilation with 100% oxygen,
 * deepen anesthesia by administering 30-50 mg of Propofol, or give Suxamethonium 0.25-0.5 mg / kg
 * in case of still non-receding laryngospasm we give a full dose of Suxamethonium and perform reintubaton, then we give 100% oxygen

Related Articles

 * Larynx
 * General anesthesia
 * Intubation
 * Choking
 * Urgent conditions in pneumology

Used literature