Clin Orthop Surg.  2012 Mar;4(1):77-82. 10.4055/cios.2012.4.1.77.

Efficacy of Postoperative Radiograph for Evaluating the Prevertebral Soft Tissue Swelling after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

• Song KJ
• Choi BW
• Kim HY
• Jeon TS
• Chang H

• KMID: 1245402
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2012.4.1.77

Abstract

BACKGROUND
After surgery for degenerative spinal disease by the anterior approach, the degree of soft tissue swelling can be assessed simply using plain radiographs. However, there are little studies according to the surgical methods or extent of surgery, and no study had addressed the clinical meaning of swelling determined by plain radiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of prevertebral soft tissue swelling (PSTS) after anterior cervical fusion with plate fixation for the treatment of degenerative cervical spinal disorders.
METHODS
One hundred and thirty-five patients that underwent anterior cervical fusion with plate augmentation for degenerative cervical spondylosis were included in this study. PSTS differences were analyzed with respect to numbers of fusion segments and location of fusion. Cases were divided into two groups based on the amount of PSTS, and incidences of dyspnea, dysphagia, dysphonia were evaluated.
RESULTS
PSTS increments were significantly greater in patients that had undergone multi-level or high-level fusion. Complications of dyspnea, dysphagia and dysphonia were found more frequently in patients with marked PSTS group.
CONCLUSIONS
Increments of PSTS after anterior cervical fusion for degenerative spinal disorders are greater and incidences of complications are higher in patients that undergo multi-level or high-level fusion. Thus, measurement of PSTS using consecutive cervical lateral radiographs after anterior cervical surgery is clinically meaningful procedure.

Keyword

Cervical spine; Prevertebral soft tissue swelling; Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cervical Vertebrae/surgery
Deglutition Disorders/etiology
Diskectomy/*adverse effects
Dysphonia/etiology
Dyspnea/etiology
Edema/etiology/*radiography
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neck Injuries/etiology/*radiography
Soft Tissue Injuries/etiology/*radiography
Spinal Fusion/*adverse effects
Spondylosis/*surgery