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

Utilization of Instrumentation in Swallowing Assessment of Surgical Patients during COVID-19

The aim of this study is to describe a measured return to instrumental dysphagia assessments for our vulnerable surgical patient population, such that best practice patterns could be resumed and our staff kept safe from transmission of COVID-19. A retrospective medical record review provided data on clinical practice patterns of swallowing assessment in an at-risk surgical patient population. Outcomes of this study support protocols that allow clinicians to safely resume the use of instrumental assessment and return to best practice in dysphagia assessment for our surgical patient population.

Relationship between smoking and postoperative complications of cervical spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To determine whether smoking has adverse effects on postoperative complications following spine cervical surgery (PROSPERO 2021: CRD42021269648). We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through 13 July 2021 for cohort and case–control studies that investigated the effect of smoking on postoperative complications after cervical spine surgery. Two researchers independently screened the studies and extracted data according to the selection criteria. The meta-analysis included 43 studies, including 27 case–control studies and 16 cohort studies, with 10,020 patients. Pooled estimates showed that smoking was associated with overall postoperative complications (effect estimate [ES] = 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62–2.44, p < 0.0001), respiratory complications (ES = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.62–4.49, p < 0.0001), reoperation (ES = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.50–2.81, p < 0.0001), dysphagia (ES = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.06–2.10, p = 0.022), wound infection (ES = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.62–6.36, p = 0.001), and axial neck pain (ES = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.25–3.12, p = 0.003). There were no significant differences between the smoking and nonsmoking groups in terms of fusion (ES = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94–1.00, p = 0.0097), operation time (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.08, 95% CI: −5.54 to 5.71, p = 0.977), estimated blood loss (WMD = −5.31, 95% CI: −148.83 to 139.22, p = 0.943), length of hospital stay (WMD = 1.01, 95% CI: −2.17 to 4.20, p = 0.534), Visual Analog Scale-neck pain score (WMD = −0.19, 95% CI: −1.19 to 0.81, p = 0.707), Visual Analog Scale-arm pain score (WMD = −0.50, 95% CI: −1.53 to 0.53, p = 0.343), Neck Disability Index score (WMD = 11.46, 95% CI: −3.83 to 26.76, p = 0.142), or Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (WMD = −1.75, 95% CI: −5.27 to 1.78, p = 0.332). Compared with nonsmokers, smokers seem to be more significantly associated with overall complications, respiratory complications, reoperation, longer hospital stay, dysphagia, wound infection and axial neck pain after cervical spine surgery. It is essential to provide timely smoking cessation advice and explanation to patients before elective cervical spine surgery.

Cellular allograft for multilevel stand-alone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

OBJECTIVE

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common treatment for degenerative disease of the cervical spine. Given the high rate of pseudarthrosis in multilevel stand-alone ACDF, there is a need to explore the utility of novel grafting materials. In this study, the authors present a single-institution retrospective study of patients with multilevel degenerative spine disease who underwent multilevel stand-alone ACDF surgery with or without cellular allograft supplementation.

METHODS

In a prospectively collected database, 28 patients who underwent multilevel ACDF supplemented with cellular allograft (ViviGen) and 25 patients who underwent multilevel ACDF with decellularized allograft between 2014 and 2020 were identified. The primary outcome was radiographic fusion determined by a 1-year follow-up CT scan. Secondary outcomes included change in Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores and change in visual analog scale scores for neck and arm pain.

RESULTS

The study included 53 patients with a mean age of 53 ± 0.7 years who underwent multilevel stand-alone ACDF encompassing 2.6 ± 0.7 levels on average. Patient demographics were similar between the two cohorts. In the cellular allograft cohort, 2 patients experienced postoperative dysphagia that resolved by the 3-month follow-up. One patient developed cervical radiculopathy due to graft subsidence and required a posterior foraminotomy. At the 1-year CT, successful fusion was achieved in 92.9% (26/28) of patients who underwent ACDF supplemented with cellular allograft, compared with 84.0% (21/25) of patients who underwent ACDF without cellular allograft. The cellular allograft cohort experienced a significantly greater improvement in the mean postoperative NDI score (p < 0.05) compared with the other cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Cellular allograft is a low-morbidity bone allograft option for ACDF. In this study, the authors determined favorable arthrodesis rates and functional outcomes in a complex patient cohort following multilevel stand-alone ACDF supplemented with cellular allograft.

Risk Factors and Assessment Using an Endoscopic Scoring System for Postoperative Respiratory Complications after Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Surgery

Introduction

Postoperative respiratory complications (PRC) are one of the most serious complications. Potentially life-threatening accidents can occur after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ADF), such as airway obstruction and aspiration pneumonia. Despite numerous studies, preoperative predictive and preventive methodology has yet to be established.

As reported in our previous study, the evaluation of preoperative dysphagia using the eating assessment tool (EAT-10) and a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is useful for predicting the incidence and risk factors of dysphagia after ADF.

Methods

This prospective study comprised 60 consecutive patients who underwent ADF. An otolaryngologist and a speech-language-hearing therapist preoperatively and 1 week postoperatively evaluated dysphagia using EAT-10 and Hyodo-Komagane (H-K) scores during FEES. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and pre- and postoperative dysphagia were compared between patients with and without PRC.

Results

Seven of 60 (11.6%) patients had preoperative dysphagia diagnosed using the H-K score. A significant positive correlation existed between the pre- and postoperative H-K scores. Of all 60 cases, eight (13.3%) had PRC. Among them, two required reintubation due to airway obstruction and six had aspiration pneumonia. The PRC(+) group was significantly older and more prone to diabetes and asthma. The preoperative H-K score of the PRC(+) group was significantly higher than that of the PRC(−) group. Postoperatively, but not preoperatively, EAT-10 was significantly higher in the PRC(+) group.

Conclusions

Preoperative dysphagia may potentially exacerbate postoperative dysphagia after ADF. A preoperative evaluation of dysphagia using the H-K score during FEES is a useful method for predicting and reducing the risk of PRC.

Level of Evidence: 3

Risk Factors and Assessment Using an Endoscopic Scoring System for Early and Persistent Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

OBJECTIVES

Preoperative and postoperative dysphagia was evaluated by an otolaryngology doctor and a speech-language-hearing therapist using the eating assessment tool (EAT-10) and Hyodo-Komagane scores. The objective was to achieve a more precise evaluation of the incidence and risk factors of early and persistent dysphagia after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although numerous reports have explored the risk factors for dysphagia after ACDF, these factors remain controversial. The main reason for this situation is that the methods for evaluating dysphagia are not adequate or uniform.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study involved a retrospective 47 consecutive patients who had undergone ACDF and been followed up for at least 1 year. Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine was evaluated by a preoperative x-ray. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for transient or persistent dysphagia.

RESULTS

The study showed that 34% of patients developed dysphagia in the early postoperative period and that 25.5% of patients still had persistent dysphagia 1 year postoperatively. 8.5% of patients had already developed dysphagia preoperatively, with a significant positive correlation observed between preoperative and postoperative dysphagia.Aging and smoking were significant risk factors for transient dysphagia. A preoperative cervical kyphotic angle at the C3/C4, C4/C5 disk-level and change in the kyphotic angle at C4/C5 during surgery were significant risk factors of persistent dysphagia 1 year after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to show dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery using the EAT-10 score and Hyodo-Komagane score with endoscopic evaluation. Aging and smoking were significant risk factors for transient dysphagia, while preoperative local kyphosis angles of C3-C4 and C4-C5 and change in the kyphotic angle at C4/C5 during surgery may be a key alignment of risk factors for postoperative persistent dysphagia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level: III.

Perioperative complications with multilevel anterior and posterior cervical decompression and fusion

OBJECTIVE

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a progressive degenerative pathology that frequently affects older individuals and causes spinal cord compression with symptoms of neck pain, radiculopathy, and weakness. Anterior decompression and fusion is the primary intervention to prevent neurological deterioration; however, in severe cases, circumferential decompression and fusion is necessary. Published data regarding perioperative morbidity associated with these complex operations are scarce. In this study, the authors sought to add to this important body of literature by documenting a large single-surgeon experience of single-session circumferential cervical decompression and fusion.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed to identify intended single-stage anterior-posterior or posterior-anterior-posterior cervical spine decompression and fusion surgeries performed by the primary surgeon (V.C.T.) at Rush University Medical Center between 2009 and 2016. Cases in which true anterior-posterior cervical decompression and fusion was not performed (i.e., those involving anterior-only, posterior-only, or delayed circumferential fusion) were excluded from analysis. Data including standard patient demographic information, comorbidities, previous surgeries, and intraoperative course, along with postoperative outcomes and complications, were collected and analyzed. Perioperative morbidity was recorded during the 90 days following surgery.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients (29 male and 43 female, mean age 57.6 years) were included in the study. Fourteen patients (19.4%) were active smokers, and 56.9% had hypertension, the most common comorbidity. The most common clinical presentation was neck pain in 57 patients (79.2%). Twenty-three patients (31.9%) had myelopathy, and 32 patients (44.4%) had undergone prior cervical spine surgery. Average blood loss was 613 ml. Injury to the vertebral artery was encountered in 1 patient (1.4%). Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was observed in 2 patients (2.8%). Two patients (2.8%) had transient unilateral hand grip weakness. There were no permanent neurological deficits. Dysphagia was encountered in 45 patients (62.5%) postoperatively, with 23 (32%) requiring nasogastric parenteral nutrition and 9 (12.5%) patients ultimately undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. Nine of the 72 patients required a tracheostomy. The incidence of pneumonia was 6.9% (5 patients) overall, and 2 of these patients were in the tracheostomy group. Superficial wound infections occurred in 4 patients (5.6%). Perioperative death occurred in 1 patient. Reoperation was necessary in 10 patients (13.9%). Major perioperative complications (permanent neurological deficit, vascular injury, tracheostomy, PEG tube, stroke, or death) occurred in 30.6% of patients. The risk of minor perioperative complications (temporary deficit, dysphagia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or wound infection) was 80.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-session anterior-posterior cervical decompression and fusion is an inherently morbid operation required in select patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. In this large single-surgeon series, there was a major perioperative complication risk of 30.6% and minor perioperative complication risk of 80.6%. This overall elevated risk for postoperative complications must be carefully considered and discussed with the patient preoperatively. In some situations, shared decision making may lead to the conclusion that a procedure of lesser magnitude may be more appropriate.

The Presence of Thyroid Cartilage at the Surgical Level Reduces Early Dysphagia after Single-Level Anterior Cervical Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Background: Early dysphagia is a frequent complication of anterior cervical (AC) spine surgery. However, there are no reports that have discussed the correlation between early dysphagia and the positional relationship between thyroid cartilage and the surgical level.Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 82 patients in our hospital who underwent single-level AC discectomy performed by the same surgeon using the same internal fixation apparatus from 2015 to 2017. Swallowing difficulty was rated during the first five postoperative days using a 10-point scoring system. The positional relationship between the thyroid cartilage and the surgical level was defined as discectomy within the thyroid cartilage (IN group) or outside the thyroid cartilage (OUT group) using preoperative computed tomography (CT) images. The confounding factors such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, drinking, smoking, operative level, operative time, and blood loss were analyzed by a binomial logistic regression.Results: The thyroid cartilage was most commonly located above the C5 level (65.1%). Early dysphagia developed in 47.6% of the patients during the first five postoperative days. The IN and OUT groups each contained 41 cases. The difference in the cumulative postoperative early dysphagia score between the IN and OUT groups was statistically significant (p < .05). The factors of gender, age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, drinking, smoking, operative level, operative time, blood loss did not significantly influence the incidence of postoperative early dysphagia.Conclusions: We found that early dysphagia, which is a self-limiting complication, was correlated with surgery performed at levels outside the thyroid cartilage region. Preoperative review of the positional relationship between the thyroid cartilage and the surgical level can predict the incidence of postoperative transient dysphagia.

Normal radiological anatomy of thyroid cartilage in 600 Chinese individuals: implications for anterior cervical spine surgery

Background

Thyroid cartilage is an important barrier in anterior cervical approach surgery. The objective of this study is to establish normative values for thyroid cartilage at three planes and to determine their significance on preoperative positioning and intraoperative traction in surgery via the anterior cervical approach.

Methods

Neck CT scans were collected from 600 healthy adults who did not meet any of the exclusion criteria. Transverse diameters (D1, D2, and D3) of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage (SBTC), inferior border of the thyroid cartilage (IBTC), and the trachea transverse diameters of the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (IBCC) were measured on a horizontal plane.

Results

All measured variables had intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) of ≥ 0.7. The differences in transverse diameters on the same plane between males and females were significantly different (all p < 0.001). The SBTC is most often at C4 in women (59.5%) and C4/5 in men (36.4%), the IBTC is most often at C5 in women (48.1%) and men (46.2%), and the IBCC is primarily located at C6 in women (45.2%) and C6 or C6/7 in men (34.4%) (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We present normative values for thyroid cartilage at three planes of SBTC, IBTC, and IBCC in Chinese individuals. The individual and gender differences in the location of the thyroid cartilage and the size of the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage provide an anatomical basis to localize the skin incision, to predict the difficulty of intraoperative exposure and retractor pulling, and to identify that the thyroid cartilage protected the pharyngoesophageal wall.

Dysphagia: Thinking outside the box

Dysphagia is a common symptom that is important to recognise and appropriately manage, given that causes include life threatening oesophageal neoplasia, oropharyngeal dysfunction, the risk of aspiration, as well as chronic disabling gastroesophageal reflux (GORD). The predominant causes of dysphagia varies between cohorts depending on the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors, and is changing with time. Currently in white Caucasian societies adopting a western lifestyle, obesity is common and thus associated gastroesophageal reflux disease is increasingly diagnosed. Similarly, food allergies are increasing in the west, and eosinophilic oesophagitis is increasingly found as a cause. Other regions where cigarette smoking is still prevalent, or where access to medical care and antisecretory agents such as proton pump inhibitors are less available, benign oesophageal peptic strictures, Barrett's oesophagus, adeno- as well as squamous cell carcinoma are endemic. The evaluation should consider the severity of symptoms, as well as the pre-test probability of a given condition. In young white Caucasian males who are atopic or describe heartburn, eosinophilic esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease will predominate and a proton pump inhibitor could be commenced prior to further investigation. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy remains a valid first line investigation for patients with suspected oesophageal dysphagia. Barium swallow is particularly useful for oropharyngeal dysphagia, and oesophageal manometry mandatory to diagnose motility disorders.

Risk factors and preventative measures of early and persistent dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To conduct a systematic review of literature to determine risk factors and preventative measures of early and persistent dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS).

METHODS

On March 2017, we searched the database PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, Clinical key, Springer link and Wiley Online Library without time restriction using the term 'dysphagia', 'swallowing disorders', and 'anterior cervical spine surgery'. Selected papers were examined for the level of evidence by published guidelines as level I, level II, level III, level IV studies. We investigated risk factors and preventative measures of early or persistent dysphagia after ACSS from these papers.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 515 citations. Fifty-nine of these studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three of them were level I evidence studies, 29 were level II evidence studies, 22 were level III evidence studies, and 3 were level IV evidence studies. Preventable risk factors included prolonged operative time, use of rhBMP, endotracheal tube cuff pressure, cervical plate type and position, dC2-C7 angle, psychiatric factors, tobacco usage, prevertebral soft tissue swelling, SLN or RLN palsy or injury of branches. Preventative measures included preoperative tracheal traction exercise, maintaining endotracheal tube cuff pressure at 20 mm Hg, avoiding routine use of rhBMP-2, use of zero-profile implant, use of Zephir plate, use of new cervical retractor, steroid application, avoiding prolonged operating time, avoiding overenlargement of cervical lordosis, decreasing surgical levels, ensuring knowledge of anatomy of superior laryngeal nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve, to comfort always, patients quitting smoking and doctors ensuring improved skills. Unpreventable risk factors included age, gender, multilevel surgery, revision surgery, duration of preexisting pain, BMI, blood loss, upper levels, preoperative comorbidities and surgical type.

CONCLUSION

Adequate preoperative preparation of the patients including preoperative tracheal traction exercise and quitting smoking, proper preventative measures during surgery including maintaining endotracheal tube cuff pressure at 20 mm Hg, avoiding routine use of rhBMP-2, use of zero-profile implant, use of Zephir plate, use of new cervical retractor, steroid application, avoiding prolonged operating time, avoiding overenlargement of cervical lordosis and decreasing surgical levels, doctors ensuring knowledge of anatomy, improved surgical techniques and to comfort always are essential for preventing early and persistent dysphagia after ACSS.

Prevalence of complications after surgery in treatment for cervical compressive myelopathy: A meta-analysis for last decade

PURPOSE

We aim to perform a meta-analysis on prevalence of all kinds of operation-related complications following surgery treating cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM) and to provide reference for surgeons making surgical plan.

METHODS

An extensive search of literature was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane library, CNKI, and WANFANG databases on incidence of operation-related complications from January 2007 to November 2016. Data was calculated and data analysis was conducted with STATA 12.0 and Revman 5.3.

RESULTS

A total of 107 studies included 1705 of 8612 patients (20.1%, 95% CI 17.3%-22.8%) on overall complications. The incidence of C5 plasy, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), infection, axial pain, dysphagia, hoarseness, fusion failure, graft subsidence, graft dislodgment, and epidural hematoma is 5.3% (95% CI 4.3%-6.2%), 1.9% (95% CI 1.3%-2.4%), 2.8% (95% CI 1.7%-4.0%), 15.6% (95% CI 11.7%-19.5%), 16.8% (95% CI 13.6%-19.9%), 4.0% (95% CI 2.3%-5.7%), 2.6% (95% CI 0.2%-4.9%), 3.7% (95% CI 2.0%-5.5%), 3.4% (95% CI 2.0%-4.8%), 1.1% (95% CI 0.7%-1.5%), respectively. Patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) (6.3%) had a higher prevalence of C5 plasy than those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) (4.1%), and a similar trend in CSF (12.2% vs 0.9%). Individuals after laminectomy and fusion (LF) had highest rate of C5 plasy (15.2%), while those who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) had the lowest prevalence (2.0%). Compared with patients after other surgical options, individuals after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) have the highest rate of CSF (4.2%), infection (14.2%), and epidural hematoma (3.1%). Patients after ACDF (4.8%) had a higher prevalence of hoarseness than those with ACCF (3.0%), and a similar trend for dysphagia between anterior corpectomy combined with discectomy (ACCDF) and ACCF (16.8% vs 9.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our meta-analysis, patients with OPLL have a higher incidence of C5 palsy and CSF. Patients after LF have a higher incidence of C5 palsy, ACCDF have a higher incidence of dysphagia, ACCF have a higher incidence of CSF and infection and ACDF have a higher incidence of hoarseness. These figures may be useful in the estimation of the probability of complications following cervical surgery.

Management of post-traumatic neglected cervical facet dislocation

BACKGROUND

Post-traumatic unilateral or bilateral sub-axial cervical spine dislocations with locked facets are quite common. In developing countries like India, many patients with cervical injuries report late due to many reasons like rural backgrounds, lack of infrastructures and skilled surgeons, unawareness, poor socioeconomic status, lack of transportation to the specialized center with proper facility, etc. Early management is essential to maximize better neurological outcome. Delayed or neglected presentation makes treatment more challenging. Very few literatures are currently available regarding management of neglected cervical facet dislocation but no one offers clear cut management. Purpose of our study is to evaluate treatment outcome of 15 patients with post-traumatic neglected cervical facet dislocation. Here we have reviewed 15 patients with post-traumatic neglected presentation of cervical facet dislocations and evaluated their treatment outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective type of study done in spine care unit of VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi from July 2013 to June 2016. Record of 15 patients with neglected cervical dislocation who were undergone anterior cervical discectomy and fusion along with posterior lateral mass screw fixation depending upon close reduction and integrity of disco-ligamentous complex.

RESULTS

15 patients were included in this study. 4 patients underwent only anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) after complete close reduction with intact disco-ligamentous complex. Remaining 11 patients who failed to achieve complete reduction or had posterior disco-ligamentous injuries underwent posterior partial facetectomy and lateral mass screw fixation with anterior discectomy and fusion concomitantly. Mean follow up period was 14 months. All patients achieved pain relief and sufficient neck movements. 1 patient with only nerve root injuries recovered completely. 6 out of 11 patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries, improved by one Frankel grade and remaining 5 patients by two grades. 3 patients with complete quadriplegia showed no clinical and neurological improvement.

CONCLUSION

Proper decompression, reduction and fixation should be done in neglected cervical dislocation as it provides mechanical stability and alignment, facilitates rehabilitation, prevent kyphotic deformity as well as offers a fair chance of neurological recovery.