A cohort study of the morbidity of combined anterior-posterior cervical spinal fusions: incidence and predictors of postoperative dysphagia

Kevin A. Reinard, Diana M. Cook, Hesham M. Zakaria, Azam M. Basheer, Victor W. Chang, Muwaffak M. Abdulhak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To identify risk factors that may lead to the development of dysphagia after combined anterior and posterior (360°) cervical fusion surgery. Methods: A single center, retrospective analysis of patients who had same-day, 360° fusion at Henry Ford Hospital between 2008 and 2012 was performed. Variables analyzed included demographics, medical co-morbidities, levels fused, and degree of dysphagia. Results: The overall dysphagia rate was 37.7 %. Patients with dysphagia had a longer mean length of stay (p < 0.001), longer mean operative time (p < 0.001), greater intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.002), and fusion above the fourth cervical vertebra, C4, (p = 0.007). There were no differences in the rates of dysphagia when comparing patients undergoing primary or revision surgery (p = 0.554). Conclusion: Prolonged surgery and fusion above C4 lead to higher rates of dysphagia after 360° fusions. Prior anterior cervical fusion does not increase the risk of dysphagia development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2068-2077
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Spine Journal
Volume25
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anterior-posterior
  • Cervical spine
  • Dysphagia
  • Fusion
  • Risk factors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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