Lingual nerve injury caused by laryngeal mask airway during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Lingual nerve injury (LNI) is a rare complication following the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The occurrence of this unexpected complication causes uncomfortable symptoms in patients and worsens their quality of life. We present an unusual case of LNI caused by the use of an LMA in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). CASE SUMMARY A 49-year-old man presented to our hospital with a 3-year history of intermittent left lower back pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 25 mm × 20 mm stone in the left renal pelvis. PCNL surgery using LMA was performed to remove the renal stone. The patient reported numbness on the tip of his tongue after the operation, but there were no signs of swelling or trauma. The patient was diagnosed with LNI after other possible causes were ruled out. The symptom of numbness eventually improved after conservative medical therapy for 1 wk. The patient completely recovered 3 wk after surgery. CONCLUSION This is the first case report describing LNI with the use of LMA in PCNL. In our case, an inappropriate LMA size, intraoperative movement, and a specific surgical position might be potential causes of this rare complication.

Unilateral sublingual nerve paralysis after laryngeal mask airway in a patient with congenital heart disease: a case report

“…3 We conducted a PubMed search and found a total of 23 articles on sublingual nerve paralysis after LMA application. 3–25 The patients described in these reports had different degrees of sublingual nerve paralysis after surgery, and they basically recovered completely within 6 months after conservative treatment (Table 1). Notably, these reports mainly involved normal patients.…”