Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Esophagus atresia after cervical spine surgery: case report and literature review

  • Case Report
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report on a case of esophageal atresia following cervical spine surgery. A swallowing examination was performed using fibre-optic endoscopy and videofluoroscopy. There was scar tissue fixation of the larynx and esophagus to the cervical spine. Operative mobilization of the larynx and esophagus and formation of a sliding layer using a platysma-fascia flap was done. The PEG and tracheal cannula were removed; oral nutrition was initiated after 3 months. Swallowing disorders following operations on the upper cervical spine should be investigated. Careful preparation that preserves the layers should be carried out. Fixation of tissues as a result of scarring should be treated with a sliding layer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abel R, Ruf S, Spahn B (2004) Cervical spinal cord injury and deglutition disorders. Dysphagia 19:87–94

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bertalanffy H, Eggert H-R (1989) Complication of anterior cervical discetcomy without fusion in 450 patients. Acta Neurochir 99:41–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bulger RF, Rejowski JE, Beatty RA (1993) Dysphagia following anterior cervical fusion. Dysphagia 8:390

    Google Scholar 

  4. Clements DH, O’Leary PF (1990) Anterior discectomy and fusion. Spine 15:1023–1025

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cloward RB (1958) The anterior approach for removal of ruptured cervical discs. J Neurosurg 15:602–617

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Coleman JJ, Nahai F, Mathes SJ (1982) Platysmal musculo cutaneus flap—clinical considerations in head and neck reconstruction. Am J Surg 144:477–481

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Krespi YP, Har-El G (1988) Surgery of the clivus and anterior cervical spine. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 114:73–78

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Martin RE, Neary MA, Diamant NE (1997) Dysphagia following anterior cervical spine surgery. Dysphagia 12:2–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Welsh JJ, Welsh LW, Chinnici JC (1987) Dysphagia due to cervical spine surgery. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 96:112–115

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Whitecloud T (1983) Management of radiculopathy and myelopathy by the anterior approach. In: Cervical Spine Research Society (Hrsg) The cervical spine. Lippincott, Philadelphia, S411–S424

  11. Wise MF, Milani JC (1987) Incidence of swallowing problems in quadroplegics. Asia 30–33

  12. Wolf C, Meiners TH (2003) Dysphagia in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 41:347–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at UKB, Free University of Berlin, Warener Straße 7, 12683, Berlin, Germany

    Rainer O. Seidl, Ingo Todt & Arne Ernst

Authors
  1. Rainer O. Seidl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ingo Todt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Arne Ernst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rainer O. Seidl.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seidl, R.O., Todt, I. & Ernst, A. Esophagus atresia after cervical spine surgery: case report and literature review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 264, 291–293 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0171-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0171-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation