Transcervical styloidectomy for Eagle syndrome

We demonstrate a safe and effective surgical technique for the operative management of Eagle syndrome, also known as stylohyoid syndrome, via transcervical styloidectomy. Fifteen patients who presented to our institution for surgical management of Eagle syndrome were included. A detailed video shows the operative techniques used to perform styloidectomy via a transcervical approach. The procedure was well tolerated without complications, and all patients were discharged on postoperative day one. Thirteen patients (87%) endorsed significant improvement or complete resolution of their presenting complaint(s), most commonly throat and neck pain/discomfort (53%), otalgia (47%), and/or tinnitus (40%). The transcervical approach for styloidectomy provides an alternative for operative access that overcomes the limitations associated with the transoral approach. It enables better exposure of the operative field, a more efficient procedure, and, in the senior author's experience, results in decreased postoperative pain, trismus, and length of hospital stay.