Formation of granulation tissue on bilateral vocal cords after double-lumen endotracheal intubation: A case report

BACKGROUND: Most case reports on laryngeal granuloma formation have described patients after tracheotomy and single-lumen endotracheal intubation. Few studies have investigated vocal cord granuloma formation after double-lumen endotracheal (DLT) intubation. CASE SUMMARY: We report granulation tissue formation on the bilateral vocal cords after DLT intubation in a 45-year-old, 153-cm-tall female patient. Previous imaging reports showed no formation of vocal cord granuloma before DLT intubation. Therefore, we inferred that DLT intubation may have been the main reason for the postoperative granulation tissue formation on her bilateral vocal cords, based on the patient’s history of DLT intubation, persistent hoarseness after thoracic surgery, and fibrolaryngoscopic and pathological reports during 12 mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: Thirty-two Fr DLT tubes should be utilized for thoracic surgery on female patients who are shorter than 153 cm in height.