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Study Design.

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery.

Objectives.

To evaluate the incidence and natural history of dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery, and to identify risk factors for the development of postoperative dysphagia.

Summary of Background Data.

The literature contains only retrospective evaluations of postoperative dysphagia. A wide range of incidence has been reported in these studies.

Methods.

Altogether, 249 consecutive patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery were eligible for the study. These patients were contacted 1, 2, 6, and 12 months after the procedure to evaluate swallowing. Risk factors such as age, gender, procedure type, hardware use, and number and location of surgical levels addressed were assessed.

Results.

Dysphagia incidences of 50.2%, 32.2%, 17.8%, and 12.5% were found at 1, 2, 6, and 12 …