Multi-level spinal fusion and postoperative prevertebral thickness increase the risk of dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery.

The present study aimed to determine the risk factors for dysphagia after anterior cervical spinal surgery. We reviewed clinical records of 45 patients after anterior cervical spinal surgery to identify the factors that influence dysphagia symptoms, and followed up the symptoms using a one-on-one telephone survey. The risk of dysphagia was greater in the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion group than in the anterior artificial disc insertion group, and in the group who underwent multi-level rather than single-level surgery. There were greater differences in prevertebral soft tissue thickness within 48 hours of surgery in patients with dysphagia than in patients without dysphagia at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery, but these differences were not significant. The risk of dysphagia was significantly higher in patients who had their highest operative levels at C3 or C4 compared to those with their highest levels at C5 to C7.