Etymed
laryngospasm
Definition
Sudden, forceful closure of the vocal cords due to involuntary muscle spasms in the larynx
Clinical context
A 35-year-old patient undergoes endotracheal intubation for surgery and develops sudden onset of inspiratory stridor and inability to speak immediately post-operatively. The patient's oxygen saturation drops to 85% on room air. On examination, there is visible chest wall retractions and the patient appears distressed.
Mnemonic
LARYNGOSPASM - 'Larynx' with 'Spasm' = 'L' for Life-Threatening, 'A' for Airway Obstruction, 'R' for Repeated, 'Y' for Yelling, 'N' for Nerve, 'G' for Glottis, 'O' for Oxygen, 'S' for Stridor, 'P' for Paralysis, 'A' for Anesthesia, 'M' for Morbid, 'T' for Trachea, 'H' for Hypoxia'