Abstract
Objectives
Pharyngeal injury post-anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) repair is a well-recognized postoperative complication. It can lead to abscess formation, pharyngocutaneous fistula, and esophageal diverticulum. Various reconstructive procedures have been proposed, including primary repair or pedicled muscle flaps. In recalcitant cases, free tissue transfer can be used. We review our experience with patients undergoing free tissue transfer for repair of pharyngeal defects.
Methods
Retrospective data review from January 2002 to February 2008 of patients undergoing pharyngeal repair following ACDF surgery.
Results
5 patients were identified for total of 6 reconstruction procedures. Presentation of the pharyngeal leak occurred from 8 days to 3 years after the ACDF procedure. 3 patients presented acutely with cervical abscesses requiring incision and drainage. 2 patients underwent hardware removal at the time of incision and drainage. 2 patients presented with dysphagia and a contained esophageal diverticulum. 4 of the patients underwent radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap reconstruction, and 1 underwent anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous free flap reconstruction. One patient had a revision surgery for recurrent fistula formation after radial forearm free flap with rectus free flap reconstruction. There were no immediate postoperative leaks; however, on 1–51 months follow-up, 4 out of 6 cases developed a diverticulum, with one of them developing a second fistula. 3 out of 5 patients had no evidence of diverticulum or fistula at last follow-up, for a success rate of 60%.
Conclusions
Pharyngo-esophageal perforation following an ACDF approach is difficult to repair even with free tissue transfer.
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