Imaging study of soft tissue swelling after anterior cervical corpectomy

OBJECTIVE To study the changes of anterior soft tissue swelling after anterior cervical subtotal corpectomy, titanium mesh fusion and internal fixation. METHODS From November 2015 to July 2018, 151 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated with anterior single corpectomy, titanium mesh fusion and internal fixation, including 109 males and 42 females, aged 44 to 81 (59.77±8.34) years. Through postoperative follow up observation, the C2-C7 level of anterior intervertebral space distance was measured to evaluate the changes of anterior soft tissue swelling. RESULTS All patients were followed up for 15 to 40(28.00±3.52) months. One week after the operation, the swelling of anterior soft tissue reached the peak, and then decreased. At 8 months after the operation, the swelling of anterior soft tissue on C5, C6 and C7 plane returned to normal. At 12 months after the operation, the swelling of anterior soft tissue on C2, C3 and C4 plane returned to normal. CONCLUSION Anterior subtotal cervical corpectomy, titanium mesh bone graft fusion and internal fixation can cause swelling of the anterior soft tissue. One week after operation, we should pay more attention to the aggravation of the swelling of the anterior soft tissue to avoid the occurrence of dysphagia, respiratory obstruction, asphyxia and other complications.