What Is the Incidence and Severity of Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Surgery?

• DOI: 10.1007/s11999-010-1731-8
• Publication Date: 2010-12-07T14:38:48Z
• Authors: Jeffrey A. Rihn; Justin Kane; Todd J. Albert; Alexander R. Vaccaro; Alan S. Hilibrand
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; 2. Zero hunger; Incidence; Middle Aged; Decompression, Surgical; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Postoperative Complications; Spinal Fusion; 0302 clinical medicine; Cervical Vertebrae; Humans; Female; Spinal Diseases; Deglutition Disorders; Aged

Existing studies suggest a relatively high incidence of dysphagia after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF). The majority these studies, however, are retrospective in nature lack control group.We therefore (1) prospectively determined the severity ACDF using lumbar patients as group; (2) which factors, if any, associated with increased postoperative dysphagia.Patients undergoing either one- or two-level (n=38) posterior (n=56) were followed. Baseline patient characteristics recorded. A questionnaire was administered preoperatively during 2-week, 6-week, 12-week visits. We found no differences age, body mass index, preoperative between groups. compared who had surgery.Postoperatively, 71% having spine surgery reported at 2 weeks followup. This decreased to 8% 12 greater group 6 followup trend toward Body gender, location surgery, number surgical levels not related risk developing dysphagia. observed correlation operative time dysphagia.Dysphagia is common ACDF. decreases over time, although symptoms may persist least surgery.Level II, prospective, comparative study. See Guidelines for Authors complete description evidence.