Swallowing Motor Function After Cervical Spine Surgery With Anterior Approach

Dysphagia is a well-known complication following anterior cervical spine surgery. However, which muscle at oropharyngeal region weakness and the recovery course of these patients are still unknown. The ultrasonography was used to measure the oropharyngeal swallowing function. The high resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) could be used to measure the postoperative recovery esophageal function. we aimed to observe the changes and recovery course swallowing function parameters during the preoperative and postoperative period in the patients receiving anterior cervical spine surgery by HRIM and ultrasonography.

Dysphagia is a well-known complication following anterior cervical spine surgery. However, which muscle at oropharyngeal region weakness and the recovery course of these patients are still unknown. The ultrasonography was used to measure the oropharyngeal swallowing function. The high resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) could be used to measure the postoperative recovery esophageal function. We aimed to observe the changes and recovery course swallowing function parameters during the preoperative and postoperative period in the patients receiving anterior cervical spine surgery by HRIM and ultrasonography. Consecutive patients who will fulfill the criteria of cervical spine surgery patients under general anesthesia and aged \>= 20 will be enrolled. The patients would receive the dysphagia questionnaire. All subjects would receive the swallowing function by ultrasonography and HRIM before the surgeries. The cough test was also measured. After the surgery, the patient would be followed the swallowing function in the postoperative one day, 1 week, and 1 months, 3 months (If needed) by HRIM and ultrasonography.