Vallecular cysts are rarely seen in adults and occur as a result of the tongue base mucus retention. In cases with laryngeal inlet obstruction due to a vallecular cyst, the airway management sometimes might be a challenge. We presented the airway management of an adult patient with difficult airway due to a large vallecular cyst. A 28-year-old male patient with a large vallecular cyst was scheduled for surgical excision of the cyst under general anesthesia. Despite the use of different laryngoscopic blades, no laryngeal structure was seen due to the cystic formation. After aspiration of approximately 20 mL cyst content, the peripheral side of the epiglottis was seen on the left-upper side of the shrunken cyst. Therefore, laryngoscopy was performed by an insertion of the left side of the mouth, and tracheal intubation was achieved by endotracheal tube which was advanced blindly under the epiglottis. A week later, due to cyst reoccurrence, the patient was undergone surgery again. No problem arose during the course of anesthesia, surgical intervention and the postoperative period, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. We concluded that the view of the glottis or other laryngeal structures can be obtained by shrinking the vallecular cyst size.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.