Anterior cervical plating is a common procedure that is performed after decompression and reconstruction in cervical spine surgery. Screw dislodgement is a rare but potential complication of cervical plating. The common site of screw migration is within the gastrointestinal tract. Our patient is the first reported case of cervical screw dislodgement to the bronchial tree. It presented ten months after the patient had undergone placement of an anterior cervical locking plate. The dislodgement was confirmed by X-ray imaging, computed tomography (CT) scan, and bronchoscopy. Spine surgeons should be aware of this type of complication in case of screw loosening. Early intervention with implant removal should be considered.
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LoweryGL, McDonoughRF. The significance of implant failure in anterior cervical plate fixation. Patient with 2-to 7-year follow-up. Spine1998;23:181–6. Discussion 186–7.
