Abstract
Background
Transient, isolated lingual nerve neuropraxia is a rare complication following general anaesthesia. Reports implicate airway manipulation and we describe two new cases associated with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and review the related English language literature.
Results
Unilateral numbness and loss of taste on the anterior tongue were the characteristic symptoms. Collation of literature data (median and range) with that from the new cases showed: patient age was 38 (20–61) years and female to male ratio was 1.2:1. Surgery time was 62.5 (20–150) min and symptom duration was 28 (7–120) days.
Conclusion
Lingual neuropraxias reported have been transient and patients can be advised, despite disturbing symptoms, that recovery is anticipated in about 1 month. Lingual neuropraxia reports are becoming more frequent, perhaps associated with increasing LMA use. Research is recommended as modification to LMA cuff volume, pressure and/or position within the oral cavity might ameliorate the entity.
References
Jones BC (1971) Lingual nerve injury: a complication of intubation. Br J Anaesth 43:730
Teichner RL (1971) Lingual nerve injury: a complication of orotracheal intubation. Br J Anaesth 43:413. doi:10.1093/bja/43.4.413
Ellis H, Feldman S (1988) Anatomy for anaesthetists, 5th edn. Blackwell Science Publications, Oxford
Loughman E (1983) Lingual nerve injury following tracheal intubation. Anaesth Intensive Care 11:171
Brimacombe J (1993) Bilateral lingual nerve injury following tracheal intubation. Anaesth Intensive Care 21:107–108
Ahmad NS, Yentis SM (1996) Laryngeal mask airway and lingual nerve injury. Anaesthesia 51:707–708
Laxton CH, Kipling R (1996) Lingual nerve paralysis following the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Anaesthesia 51:869–870. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.1996.tb12621.x
Majumder S, Hopkins PM (1998) Bilateral lingual nerve injury following the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Anaesthesia 53:184–186. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2044.1998.00313.x
Gaylard D (1999) Lingual nerve injury following the use of the laryngeal mask airway. Anaesth Intensive Care 27(6):668
Kadry M, Popat M (2001) Lingual nerve injury after the use of a cuffed oropharyngeal airway. Eur J Anaesthesiol 18:264–266
Brimacombe J, Clarke G, Keller C (2005) Lingual nerve injury associated with the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway: a case report and review of the literature. Br J Anaesth 95(3):420–423. doi:10.1093/bja/aei187
Wang KC (2006) Lingual nerve injury following the use of an oropharyngeal airway under endotracheal general anaesthesia. Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan 44(2):119–122
Brain A (1983) The laryngeal mask airway—a new concept in airway management. Br J Anaesth 55(8):801–805
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge Mr. G. McEntee for facilitating the report and the assistance and collaboration of Ms. C. Madden.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Foley, E., Mc Dermott, T.E.D., Shanahan, E. et al. Transient isolated lingual nerve neuropraxia associated with general anaesthesia and laryngeal mask use: two case reports and a review of the literature. Ir J Med Sci 179, 297–300 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0347-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0347-z