Oropharyngeal morbidity following transoral approaches to the upper cervical spine.
The transoral approach to the upper cervical spine is now well established. Oropharyngeal complications have not previously been critically assessed. In the present study, the overall complication rate was 31.6%. This dropped to 15.4% in those patients who did not undergo splitting of the soft palate. The complication rate of 75% in the split soft palate group means that this procedure should be discontinued where it is not absolutely necessary.
Regional Centre for Maxillofacial Surgery, Walton Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
D C
DC
Jones
J P
JP
Hayter
E D
ED
Vaughan
G F
GF
Findlay
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000601:surgery; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures