Anaesthetic concerns in a case of spasmodic dysphonia

Abstract

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a voice disorder resulting from involuntary laryngeal muscle movements. An anaesthesiologist might encounter patients with SD arriving for surgical treatment of the primary pathology or other surgical procedures. One must exercise caution while providing anaesthesia to such patients and consider any factor that may precipitate airway obstruction. Symptoms might get exacerbated following anaesthesia involving airway intervention that might warrant immediate airway control. Airway techniques that have minimal manipulation and vigilant observation of the patient for any symptom of airway compromise postextubation are recommended. SD, though manifesting just as a voice change, has a significant impact on anaesthesia management, and as an anaesthesiologist, one should be aware of its implications while handling these patients.