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Published in: European Spine Journal 7/2016

01-07-2016 | Original Article

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

Authors: Kevin A. Reinard, Diana M. Cook, Hesham M. Zakaria, Azam M. Basheer, Victor W. Chang, Muwaffak M. Abdulhak

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 7/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

To identify risk factors that may lead to the development of dysphagia after combined anterior and posterior (360°) cervical fusion surgery.

Methods

A single center, retrospective analysis of patients who had same-day, 360° fusion at Henry Ford Hospital between 2008 and 2012 was performed. Variables analyzed included demographics, medical co-morbidities, levels fused, and degree of dysphagia.

Results

The overall dysphagia rate was 37.7 %. Patients with dysphagia had a longer mean length of stay (p < 0.001), longer mean operative time (p < 0.001), greater intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.002), and fusion above the fourth cervical vertebra, C4, (p = 0.007). There were no differences in the rates of dysphagia when comparing patients undergoing primary or revision surgery (p = 0.554).

Conclusion

Prolonged surgery and fusion above C4 lead to higher rates of dysphagia after 360° fusions. Prior anterior cervical fusion does not increase the risk of dysphagia development.
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Metadata
Title
A cohort study of the morbidity of combined anterior-posterior cervical spinal fusions: incidence and predictors of postoperative dysphagia
Authors
Kevin A. Reinard
Diana M. Cook
Hesham M. Zakaria
Azam M. Basheer
Victor W. Chang
Muwaffak M. Abdulhak
Publication date
01-07-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 7/2016
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4429-0

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