Postoperative Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Spinal Surgery

Abstract

patients after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The reported incidence varies significantly, from as little as 3% to as high as 83%. The variability is thought to be from a lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria, screening, and expected outcomes. Fortunately, dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery is typically mild and transient. However, chronic dysphagia can prove to be a significant health burden on patients. Many factors are hypothesized as potential causes for dysphagia after an ACDF. Multiple patient risk factors and variations in surgical technique have been associated with increased rates of postoperative dysphagia. In addition, consensus for how to measure dysphagia clinically has not been well established. A more standardized method of studying dysphagia will be important for future studies to better understand this common and multifaceted problem established in anterior cervical spine surgery. Dysphagia is a common postoperative condition with which all spine surgeons should be familiar. This review will help educate the clinician on the possible causes of dysphagia, as well as patient and surgical characteristics that can help the surgeon counsel and potentially prevent postoperative dysphagia.