[Pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the neck skin due to a cervical spondylodesis - case report and review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
Pharyngo-vertebral fistulas - especially with delayed diagnosis - are a rare but grave reported complication in cervical spine surgery.


METHODS
We present a patient, sent postoperatively from Italy after cervical spine surgery to our department. The patient has developed a pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the dorsal neck skin due to infected spondylodesis.


METHODS
In the presented patient, the successful closure of the pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course was made after diverse revisions at the anterior side with a platysma flap, at the posterior one with a drain.


METHODS
Aetiology, diagnostic work-up and treatment opinions are discussed in a detailed literature review.


CONCLUSIONS
To the best of the authors' knowledge the presented pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the dorsal neck skin as a complication after anterior cervical spine surgery has not been reported in the literature before.
Ulmar
B
B
Klinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie der Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Berufsgenossenschaftliche , Unfallklinik Tübingen.
Baron
C
C
Kaps
H-P
HP
Weise
K
K
Badke
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D020878:Device Removal; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed