Anterior Cervical Spine Osteosynthesis Complicated by Pharyngoesophageal Perforation

Abstract

Anterior cervical spine surgery for traumatic or degenerative disease is a well-established procedure. However, complications such as pharyngoesophageal perforation can occur. In this study, we report a series of 6 pharyngoesophageal perforations after surgery. Based on the literature review, we analyzed pathogenesis, diagnosis and discussed therapeutic strategies. Three cases occurred after surgeries of traumatic cervical spine whereas the remaining were after surgeries for degenerative cervical myelopathy. The mean duration of surgery was 210 minutes. The symptoms, appearing 48 hours after surgery, were commonly hyperthermia, dysphagia, sore throat and swelling of the incision site. The diagnostic was confirmed after contrast-enhanced esophagography. The treatment strategies consisted of insertion of nasogastric feeding tube, oral intake restriction, intravenous antibiotics administration, wound drainage. Reoperation was necessary in 4 cases with removal of the hardware in three of them. One death occurred by pulmonary embolism in a tetraplegic patient. The occurrence of pharyngoesophageal perforation after cervical spine surgery can be disastrous. It can be avoided by increasing surgeon awareness during the surgical procedure. Early detection, immediate and multidisciplinary therapy are recommended to achieve the best outcomes.