title: Delayed pharyngo-esophageal perforation: rare complication of anterior cervical spine surgery.
abstract: An injury to the pharynx and esophagus is a known complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. Two cases of delayed pharyngo-esophageal perforation following anterior cervical spine surgery that resulted in fistula are presented. We postulate that graft displacement and dislodgement of implant with resulting esophageal erosion was responsible for this complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, India. shenoysn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raja
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*