Persistent Dysphagia and Dysphonia following Cervical Spine Surgery

Persistent dysphagia and dysphonia following anterior cervical spine surgery have been underdiagnosed. Understanding the physiologic mechanism resulting in post-surgical dysphagia and dysphonia is essential to providing appropriate treatment. Two cases of protracted dysphagia and dysphonia following left anterior cervical corpectomy were reviewed. Videofluoroscopic evaluation, videostroboscopic assessment and laryngeal nerve-conduction testing were used to determine swallowing, vocal fold and cranial nerve integrity; to assess the ability to achieve oral nutrition; and to direct therapy and surgical procedures to improve swallowing and voice. With a multidisciplinary approach, the physiologic problems of post-surgical dysphagia and dysphonia can be addressed and therapeutic and/or surgical treatments initiated promptly.