Screw Migration into Colon after Anterior Cervical Plating - An Unusual Complication: A Case Report

Complications in the form of esophageal injury, tracheal injury, injury to carotids, implant failure, loosening of screws, etc do occur after anterior cervical surgeries. Although intra-operative esophageal injuries are as such rare, there have been few reports of delayed esophageal perforation as well after anterior cervical surgeries. We report a very rare case of migration of missing screw from anterior cervical plate after anterior cervical corpectomy and plating, which had ultimately migrated down to colon and had to be removed via colonoscopy. Along with removal of migrated screw from colon, revision of failed anterior cervical surgery was done wherein plate and screws were removed with mesh cage left in-situ as it was snug-fit while pharyngeophageal perforation was explored and was found to be spontaneously healing, with addition of posterior Bohlman's interspinous wiring for added stability. Migration of screw from the anterior cervical plate into the colon although very rare, should be always kept in mind and its potentially serious complications. We also conclude that particular attention should be given to elderly people with poor bony quality who have high chances of implant failure, along with attention to proper cage size, screw position and proper locking of the screw to further lessen the chances of implant failure.