TY - JOUR
T1 - Upper Instrumented Vertebrae, Number of Levels Fused, and Plate Morphology Do Not Affect Severity of Chronic Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
AU - Wuellner, John C.
AU - Rodnoi, Pope
AU - Wegner, Adam M.
AU - Dhar, Shumon Ian
AU - Pina, Dagoberto
AU - Le, Hai
AU - Wilson, Machelle D.
AU - Belafsky, Peter C.
AU - Klineberg, Eric O.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors
PY - 2023/2
Y1 - 2023/2
N2 - Background: Disordered swallowing, or dysphagia, is the most common complication after anterior cervical spine (ACS) surgery. Many operative factors are associated with development of dysphagia. The aim of this study was to explore how number of levels instrumented, specific levels fused, and plate morphology affect chronic dysphagia after ACS surgery. Methods: Consecutive patients referred to a tertiary center for otolaryngology evaluation for chronic dysphagia after ACS surgery between 2012 and 2017 were enrolled. Basic demographic data were obtained. Plain radiographs were reviewed for number of levels fused, upper instrumented vertebrae, and plate morphology. Plate morphology was categorized as a closed, small window, large window, or no profile plate. The 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was used to assess dysphagia severity. Results: Of 171 patients referred for dysphagia, 126 met inclusion criteria; 54% were female, with a mean age of 63 years (range, 32–88 years). Mean EAT-10 score was 18.5 ± 10.1. Mean time from spine surgery to videofluoroscopic swallow study for dysphagia was 58.3 months. Mean number of levels fused was 2.2 ± 0.9. There were no significant differences in EAT-10 scores in single-level versus multilevel fusion (19.0 vs. 18.4, P = 0.76) as well as with regard to upper instrumented vertebrae or plate morphology. Conclusions: In this series of patients with chronic dysphagia following ACS surgery, the severity of dysphagia as measured by the EAT-10 was not affected by upper instrumented vertebrae, number of levels fused, or plate morphology.
AB - Background: Disordered swallowing, or dysphagia, is the most common complication after anterior cervical spine (ACS) surgery. Many operative factors are associated with development of dysphagia. The aim of this study was to explore how number of levels instrumented, specific levels fused, and plate morphology affect chronic dysphagia after ACS surgery. Methods: Consecutive patients referred to a tertiary center for otolaryngology evaluation for chronic dysphagia after ACS surgery between 2012 and 2017 were enrolled. Basic demographic data were obtained. Plain radiographs were reviewed for number of levels fused, upper instrumented vertebrae, and plate morphology. Plate morphology was categorized as a closed, small window, large window, or no profile plate. The 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was used to assess dysphagia severity. Results: Of 171 patients referred for dysphagia, 126 met inclusion criteria; 54% were female, with a mean age of 63 years (range, 32–88 years). Mean EAT-10 score was 18.5 ± 10.1. Mean time from spine surgery to videofluoroscopic swallow study for dysphagia was 58.3 months. Mean number of levels fused was 2.2 ± 0.9. There were no significant differences in EAT-10 scores in single-level versus multilevel fusion (19.0 vs. 18.4, P = 0.76) as well as with regard to upper instrumented vertebrae or plate morphology. Conclusions: In this series of patients with chronic dysphagia following ACS surgery, the severity of dysphagia as measured by the EAT-10 was not affected by upper instrumented vertebrae, number of levels fused, or plate morphology.
KW - Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
KW - Anterior cervical spine surgery
KW - Cervical disc replacement
KW - Cervical plate morphology
KW - Dysphagia
KW - Swallowing study
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U2 - 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.11.048
DO - 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.11.048
M3 - Article
C2 - 36396059
AN - SCOPUS:85143272907
SN - 1878-8750
VL - 170
SP - e510-e513
JO - World neurosurgery
JF - World neurosurgery
ER -