Complications of the Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery for a Degenerative Disease

Česká verzia

Authors: L. Hrabálek ¹; M. Vaverka ¹; B. Kupka ²; M. Houdek ¹
Authors place of work: Neurochirurgická klinika FN a LF UP Olomouc ¹; Neurologická klinika FN a LF UP Olomouc ²
Published in the journal: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2007; 70/103(2): 201-206
Category: Short Communication

Summary

The anterior approach to the cervical spine has been regarded as considerate and safe and, therefore, it is usually accompanied with few complications. Nevertheless, even seemingly lesser post-operative problems due to a surgical approach or after taking off a bone graft from the innominate bone sometimes interfere with otherwise positive effects of an intervention. The aim of this research is to evaluate character and frequency of the incidence of these troubles.

The outcomes of 255 operations followed up for the minimal period of 2 years were assessed retrospectively. The most frequent complication of the surgical approach to the cervical spine was dysphagia. It occurred in 23.7% patients, and the dependence on the number of operated levels was shown. Statistically significant, more frequent dysphagia occurred in more-level performances and, thus, it was connected with the extent of exposing the anterior surfaces of the spine. Dysphonia appeared in 13.9%, disappeared by 6 months in 12.7%, and persisted only in 1.2% patients. Complications due to the site of the bone-graft sampling were observed in 41.5% patients, they were small in 31.2% patients and large (pain in the sampling site lasting for more than 6 months, permanent meralgia paresthetica, fracture of the innominate bone ridge or abscess in the sampling site) in 10.3% patients.

Key-words:
cervical spine – degenerative disease of the spine – operation – anterior approach – a bone graft sampling - complications

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