[Dysphagia after ventral spondylodesis].
BACKGROUND
Complications caused by osteosynthetic material after cervical spine surgery are rare.


METHODS
The case of a 36-year-old patient is reported, who suffered the extrusion of a screw and migration through the hypopharynx after ventral spondylodesis of a cervical spine fracture.


RESULTS
Dysphagia occurred shortly after spinal surgery. The lack of one osteosynthesis screw in the spine was detected by X-ray and the material was located in the rectum. The screw had passed through the intestinal tract and was excreted spontaneously. An ENT medical control was carried out because of persisting dysphagia. Endoscopy revealed a cherry-sized granuloma of the posterior hypopharynx wall which was removed surgically. The healing process of the mucosa continued without further complications.


CONCLUSIONS
X-ray control and endoscopy are required immediately when dysphagia occurs after osteosynthesis of the cervical spine due to possible complications caused by the implanted material. Further therapeutic measures depend on the case-specific constellation.
HNO-Klinik des MediClin-Müritz-Klinikums Waren, Waren (Müritz), Germany. detlef.kleemann@mueritz-klinikum.de
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D
Kleemann
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Plank
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Nofz
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Schlottmann
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Nazir
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Donauer
D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome