Overview
Anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is a procedure for the treatment of several neck problems. Even though the procedure is overall safe and effective, there are possible complications after surgery, which include problems swallowing, hoarseness of the voice, and pain when swallowing.
There are two different ways the spinal surgeon can approach the spine from the front of the neck. One is called a Smith-Robinson approach, and the other is called a strap-splitting approach. Each approach uses the same skin cut, the difference is only in how the next layer is approached, whether on the outside (Smith-Robinson) or through (strap-splitting) one of the small muscles in your neck. Because of the slightly different approaches to the surgery, we want to see if there are differences in complications related to swallowing and speaking between these two approaches.
Participants will undergo one of the two surgical approaches, based on surgeon preference. Participants will complete a questionnaire at several time points during their clinical follow-up to assess any difficulties swallowing and speaking.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients (18 years of age or older).
- Patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery including Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), Anterior cervical arthroplasty (ACA) and Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF)
- Ability to complete HSS-DDI questionnaire in English
Exclusion Criteria:
- Planned use of anterior odontoid screws
- Revision anterior surgery
- Trauma patient
