Voice and Swallowing Outcomes Following Revision Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Anterior Cervical Decompression and fusion is one of the most common spinal surgical
procedures performed in the United States. Common complications of this type of surgery are
difficulty swallowing and nerve dysfunction that can effect voice. The chance of having voice
and swallowing disturbances increases if this type of surgery has to be repeated. The purpose
of this study is to document the voice and swallowing function of patients undergoing this
type of surgery in an effort to find better ways to identify and treat these common
complications.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients undergoing revision anterior cervical spine surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

- Primary pathology of the upper aero-digestive tract other than mild chronic
pharyngitis, pre-existing vocal cord paralysis.