Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion

In Brief Study Design. Retrospective analysis of the incidence and prevalence of dysphagia after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF). Objectives. To examine the incidence and prevalence of dysphagia after ACDF, determine possible associated patient and procedural characteristics, and examine dysphagia’s impact on long-term health status and function. Summary of Background Data. Dysphagia is a common early complaint after ACDF, but the risk factors associated with its development are not understood. Methods. Telephone surveys (Cervical Spine Outcomes Questionnaire) and clinical assessments (Oswestry Neck Disability Scale and SF-36) were used to evaluate 454 patients who had undergone ACDF at one of 23 nationwide sites for individual and procedure characteristics that might contribute to dysphagia. Results. Of the 454 patients, 30% reported dysphagia at the 3-month assessment (incident cases). The incidence of new complaints of dysphagia at each follow-up point was 29.8%, 6.9%, and 6.6% at 3, 6, and 24 months, respectively. Dysphagia persisted at 6 and 24 months in 21.5% and 21.3% of patients, respectively. The risk of dysphagia increased with number of surgical vertebral levels at 3 months: 1 level, 42 of 212 (19.8%); 2 levels, 50 of 150 (33.3%); 3+ levels, 36 of 92 (39.1%). Patients reporting dysphagia at 3 months had a significantly higher self-reported disability and lower physical health status at subsequent assessments. Conclusion. Duration of preexisting pain and the number of vertebral levels involved in the surgical procedure appear to influence the likelihood of dysphagia after ACDF. We examined the occurrence of dysphagia after anterior cervical decompression with fusion in a cohort of 454 patients enrolled in the CSRS Outcomes Study. Dysphagia was common, occurring in 30% of individuals 3 months after surgery and persisting in 21% of individuals at 24 months postoperatively. Dysphagia negatively affected overall health status.