Effect of Swallowing Function After ROI-C Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion

Abstract

The difference of swallowing function between a new zero-notch anterior cervical interbody fusion device (ROI-C) and classical method with the plate using in anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) were discussed and analyzed. 57 cases in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from Feb 2013 to Mar 2016 who underwent ACDF were retrospectively reviewed. There were 33 cases in group using with ROI-C and 24 cases in group using with plate. The difference of dysphagia incidence and severity were analyzed by comparing with the image data before and after operation. The dysphagia correlative risk factors analyzed by logistic regression test were internal fixation material and thickness of 3-days post-operative prevertebral soft tissue (PST). When the PST (3-days post-operative) was larger than 10.44mm, the chance of developing postoperative was significantly greater. The thickness of 3-days post-operative PST in ROI-C group was significantly lower than that in plate group (P 0.05). 3-days post-operation, the dysphagia incidence and severity were significantly lower in ROI-C group than that in plate group (P <0.05). The dysphagia correlative risk factors are internal fixation material and thickness of 3-days post-operative PST. When the 3-days post-operative PST larger than 10.44 mm, the chance of developing postoperative is significantly greater. Zero-notch ROI-C anterior cervical interbody fusion device is associated with less stimulations to esophagus, lower postoperative dysphagia incidence, milder severity of dysphagia and shorter period of dysphagia in ACDF.