The Role of Cricopharyngeal Myotomy After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Operations.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1-2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical spine surgeries have low morbidity, sufficient surgical corridor, and quick recovery times. Although largely considered a safe and effective procedure to address cervical myelopathy, radiculopathy, and deformity, dysphagia is a frequent yet poorly understood adverse event. One treatment is cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM), which aids in swallowing for patients with refractory issues after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF).

CASE DESCRIPTION: Here we describe our experience with 6 patients requiring revision ACDF with preoperative dysphagia who were treated with concurrent revision and CPM. Our series demonstrated that CPM is an effective and safe procedure used in combination with an ACDF. In our series, we had 6 patients with dysphagia preoperatively who were all able to undergo ACDF without worsening of their dysphagia despite having risk factors predisposing them to this complication. In our series, 83% of patients either improved or experienced resolution of their symptoms with only 1 patient failing to improve.

CONCLUSIONS: Given its efficacy and safety, patients planned for ACDF with preoperative dysphagia should be evaluated by ENT for potential CPM.

Volume

137

First Page

146

Last Page

148

ISSN

1878-8769

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

32036068

Department(s)

Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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