C.9. What is laryngospasm? How would you make a diagnosis of laryngospasm?
Answer:
Laryngospasm is defined as glottic closure resulting from a reflex constriction of the laryngeal muscles. It is much more common in pediatric than adult patients. In the pediatric patient, oxygen consumption is greater and inversely correlated with age, so the consequences of laryngospasm are more serious.
Laryngospasm can occur during anesthesia for two main reasons: a lack of inhibition of glottic reflexes because of central nervous system depression, and an increased number of triggering stimuli such as manipulation of the airway, secretions or blood irritating the vocal cords, and stimulation of visceral nerve endings at an inadequate depth of anesthesia. Airway complications are further increased in children with upper respiratory tract infections.
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