Can lateral decubitus cause uvular necrosis after general anesthesia?

Uvular necrosis or ulceration is a rare cause of post-operative sore throat after endotracheal intubation (40%) or Laryngeal Mask Airway (7 –12%) insertion. Till date, only 17 cases of uvular necrosis have been reported. According to literature, overzealous suctioning, upper GI endoscopy, bronchoscopy via nasal approach, long-term intubation and trans-esophageal echocardiography can cause uvular necrosis (2, 3). Patients present with post-operative severe pain and swollen, elongated, erythematous uvula with odynophagia and dysphagia which require urgent attention and treatment.
Source: Journal of Clinical Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research