Kanhere AP, Paziuk T, Lambrechts MJ, Issa TZ, Karamian BA, Mazmudar A, Tran KS, Purtill C, Mangan JJ, Vaccaro AR, Kepler CK, Schroder GD, Hilibrand AS, Rihn JA. Facet Distraction and Dysphagia: A Prospective Evaluation of This Common Postoperative Issue Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2023;
48:407-413. [PMID:
36730732 DOI:
10.1097/brs.0000000000004535]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
Our primary study was to investigate whether the degree of postoperative facet and disk space distraction following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) affects the rate of postoperative dysphagia.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Although ACDF is safe and well tolerated, postoperative dysphagia remains a common complication. Intervertebral disk space distraction is necessary in ACDF to visualize the operative field, prepare the endplates for fusion, and facilitate graft insertion. However, the degree of distraction tolerated, before onset of dysphagia, is not well characterized ACDF.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted of 70 patients who underwent ACDF between June 2018 and January 2019. Two independent reviewers measured all preoperative and postoperative radiographs measured for interfacet distraction distance and intervertebral distraction distance, with intrareviewer reproducibility measurements after one month. For multilevel surgery, the level with the greatest distraction was measured. Primary outcomes were numerical dysphagia (0-10), Eating Assessment Tool 10, and Dysphagia Symptom Questionnaire score collected at initial visit and two, six, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively.
RESULTS
A total of 70 patients were prospectively enrolled, 59 of whom had adequate radiographs. An average of 1.71 (SD: 0.70) levels were included in the ACDF construct. Preoperatively, 13.4% of patients reported symptoms of dysphagia, which subsequently increased in the postoperative period at through 12 weeks postoperatively, before returning to baseline at 24 weeks. Intrareviewer and interreviewer reliability analysis demonstrated strong agreement. There was no relationship between interfacet distraction distance/intervertebral distraction distance and dysphagia prevalence, numerical rating, Eating Assessment Tool 10, or Dysphagia Symptom Questionnaire.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients who had an ACDF have an increased risk of dysphagia in the short term, however, this resolved without intervention by six months. Our data suggests increased facet and intervertebral disk distraction does not influence postoperative dysphagia rates.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
3.
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