title: Esophageal perforation with a locking screw: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: METHODS
  A case report with a review of the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Anterior cervical spine surgery (ACS) has received widespread acceptance, and as a result, a variety of complications have been reported. Several cases of esophageal complications, arising from the use of various implants and grafts, have been described. The purpose of this article is to provide insight into the clinical presentation, diagnosis, types of involved implants, and the treatment of this entity.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous reports of esophageal complications (esophageal perforation, diverticula, and stricture) after ACS are reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case study and literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Redundant locking screws should be removed due to the potential for extrusion into the esophagus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular, long-term follow-up of the patient undergoing anterior spine surgery is crucial. The wide range of possible complications mandates thorough workup. Early surgical treatment is imperative in the majority of esophageal complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0165, USA.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nourbakhsh
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Garges
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery