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Tapia’s Syndrome: An Unexpected but Real Complication of Rhinoplasty: Case Report and Literature Review

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery volume 36, pages 557–559 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Extracranial involvement of the recurrent laryngeal and hypoglossal nerves, also known as Tapia’s syndrome, is a rare complication of airway management under general anesthesia. We report such a case after an otherwise uncomplicated rhinoplasty. After reviewing the other nine reported cases of Tapia’s syndrome, we found that half of the patients had undergone rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty. The risk factors, etiology, clinical course, recovery potential, and preventive measures are analyzed and discussed. Although Tapia’s syndrome after rhinoplasty/septorhinoplasty appears to be rare, it should be considered by both the anesthetist and the plastic surgeon, and most importantly, special attention should be paid to preventive strategies.

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Fig. 1

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Conflict of Interest

The authors have no commercial interest or financial/material support in this study to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Ioannina University School of Medicine, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Efstathios G. Lykoudis & Konstantinos Seretis

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  1. Efstathios G. Lykoudis
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  2. Konstantinos Seretis
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Correspondence to Efstathios G. Lykoudis.

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Lykoudis, E.G., Seretis, K. Tapia’s Syndrome: An Unexpected but Real Complication of Rhinoplasty: Case Report and Literature Review. Aesth Plast Surg 36, 557–559 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-011-9849-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-011-9849-y

Keywords

  • Rhinoplasty
  • Complication
  • Tapia’s syndrome