부산대학교 도서관

An electromyographic (EMG) tracheal tube is used to monitor the recurrent laryngeal nerve or glossopharyngeal nerve during a head or neck surgery. From March 2013 to January 2016, 57 patients were tracheally intubated with an EMG tube in our hospital. Four patients with an intubation time ranging from 7 hours to 11 hours presented with postoperative laryngeal edema. Following conservative treatments including tracheal intubation and steroids, the laryngeal edema improved after 1-13 days. We reported a higher incidence of laryngeal edema with the use of the EMG tube (7%) than with the use of ordinary endotracheal tubes (0.9%). This suggests an association between laryngeal edema and the use of the EMG tube in this population. The extension, rotation or lateral bending of the neck may also have contributed to laryngeal edema because the EMG tube is more elastic than ordinary endotracheal tubes. Postoperative patients with EMG tubes may present with laryngeal edema despite a short intubation time. Therefore, we must be very cautious in monitoring the respiratory status of the patient postoperatively when using the EMG tube. If necessary, we must plan appropriate respiratory tract management, including possible reintubation.