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Delayed esophageal perforation after cervical spine plating.
Seong Jung Kim1, Chang Il Ju2, Dong Min Kim3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
Delayed esophageal perforation from anterior cervical spine surgery is a rare but serious complication. Long-term follow-up is crucial for patients who have undergone anterior cervical spine plating to detect such risks.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Anterior cervical spine approaches are common but carry risks.
- Esophageal perforation is a rare, potentially fatal complication of anterior spinal fusion.
- Delayed perforation due to hardware is exceptionally uncommon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of delayed esophageal perforation.
- To highlight the role of a misplaced cervical screw in the perforation.
- To emphasize the importance of long-term surveillance after anterior cervical spine surgery.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 43-year-old male patient.
- Review of clinical presentation including neck swelling and dysphagia.
- Radiological assessment to identify screw protrusion and esophageal injury.
- Surgical exploration and repair of the esophageal perforation.
Main Results:
- A 43-year-old male presented with delayed symptoms 8 years post-anterior cervical spine surgery.
- Radiological imaging revealed a protruding cervical screw.
- Intraoperative findings confirmed esophageal perforation.
- Successful surgical repair of the perforation was achieved.
Conclusions:
- This case underscores the possibility of delayed esophageal perforation years after anterior cervical spine plating.
- Misplaced or protruding hardware can lead to severe complications.
- Routine long-term follow-up is essential for early detection and management of such delayed complications in patients with anterior cervical spine implants.
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