{"id":"7b70c769-d1ca-435d-bfbe-1a26879b7633","slug":"esophageal-pharyngeal-and-hemorrhagic-complications-occurring-in-anterior-cervical-surgery-three-illustrative-cases","title":"Esophageal, pharyngeal and hemorrhagic complications occurring in anterior cervical surgery: Three illustrative cases","authors":["Víctor Rodrigo Paradells","Juan Bosco Calatayud Pérez","Francisco Javier Díar Vicente","Luciano Bances Florez","Marta Claramonte de la Viuda","Francisco Javier Villagrasa"],"abstract":"Background: The number of esophageal and pharyngeal perforations occurring in anterior cervical surgeries ranges from 0.25% to 1% and 0.2% to 1.2%, respectively. Symptoms usually appear postoperatively and are attributed to: Local infection, fistula, sepsis, or mediastinitis. Acute postoperative hematoma, although very rare (<1%), is the first complication to rule out due to its life-threatening complications (e.g. acute respiratory failure). Case Description: Over a 36-year period, the author(s) described three severe esophageal/pharyngeal complications attributed to anterior cervical surgery. As these complications were appropriately recognized/treated, patients had favorable outcomes. Conclusions: Anterior cervical spine surgery is a safe approach and is associated with few major esophageal/pharyngeal complications, which most commonly include transient dysphagia and dysphonia. If symptoms persist, patients should be assessed for esophageal/pharyngeal defects utilizing appropriate imaging studies. Notably, even if the major complications listed above are adequately treated, optimal results are in no way guaranteed.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/7b70c769-d1ca-435d-bfbe-1a26879b7633/featured/hero-1782421003150.png","publishDate":"2014-04-16T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.130673","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/4099/SNI-5-126.pdf"}