The treatment of pharyngoesophageal perforation following anterior cervical spine intervention

Objective: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in pharyngoesophageal perforation (PEP) following anterior cervical spine intervention (ACSI). Methods: We reviewed the records of four patients with PEP after ACSI. Symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging results, treatment, and follow-up characteristics were evaluated. Results: All four patients had undergone ACSI for either cervical trauma or cervical disc herniation with cervical cage reconstruction. Symptoms developed within the first 10 days of the postoperative period in three patients, and in the eighth month in one patient. Mucosal defects were detected during neck exploration in three patients. Reconstruction with primary suture and a local muscle flap was utilized in two patients. Three patients were discharged 3-8 weeks after surgical treatment. Conclusion: In cases of PEP after ACSI, a good prognosis can be achieved when symptoms are detected in the early period and reconstruction with local muscle flap is applied. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved