Management of the cervical esophagus and hypofarinx perforations complicating anterior cervical spine surgery.

Abstract

Five cases of esophageal or pharyngeal perforation diagnosed during or after anterior cervical spine surgery are presented. To outline a protocol for the early diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic pharyngoesophageal perforations. Pharyngoesophageal perforations after anterior cervical spine surgery are uncommon or rarely reported complications. They may have serious functional consequences, including death, if they are not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively. These potentially fatal conditions require a surgical and medical therapy. Clinical course, diagnostic tools and guidelines for the management of five patients presenting esophagopharingeal perforations are illustrated. These five cases resulted in definitive healing of the laceration without functional consequences. We believe that awareness of these complications and their causes, prompt recognition of the symptoms and immediate and multimodality therapies are essential tools to achieve successful results.