title: Management of the cervical esophagus and hypofarinx perforations complicating anterior cervical spine surgery.
abstract: METHODS
  Five cases of esophageal or pharyngeal perforation diagnosed during or after anterior cervical spine surgery are presented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To outline a protocol for the early diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic pharyngoesophageal perforations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Pharyngoesophageal perforations after anterior cervical spine surgery are uncommon or rarely reported complications. They may have serious functional consequences, including death, if they are not diagnosed promptly and treated effectively. These potentially fatal conditions require a surgical and medical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical course, diagnostic tools and guidelines for the management of five patients presenting esophagopharingeal perforations are illustrated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These five cases resulted in definitive healing of the laceration without functional consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that awareness of these complications and their causes, prompt recognition of the symptoms and immediate and multimodality therapies are essential tools to achieve successful results.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Neurological Sciences II Chair of Neurosurgery, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Epimenio Ramundo
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caroli
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrante
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology