title: Surgical Management of Dysphagia Due to Anterior Cervical Osteophytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was performed to share personal experiences and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of anterior cervical osteophytes surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The operative records of anterior cervical osteophytes patients who did not benefit from conventional treatments and underwent osteophytectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Transoral and transcervical anterolateral methods were applied, considering both the localization of the osteophyte and the patient's preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients were operated with the transcervical anterolateral method, and 3 patients were operated with the transoral procedure. Those using the transcervical method were likely to encounter complications, however, being comfortable for patients. Although the transoral procedure is much safer, the patients may face postoperative pain, long healing time, and morbidities as hematoma, cervical instability, and infection after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both transcervical and transoral methods will improve the functional swallowing pathologies and decrease aspiration-penetration. Transoral approach is not recommended due to slow healing times and postoperative pain, although it creates easier access to the spine.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine, Konya †Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Ankara, Ankara ‡Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Gelibolu Military Hospital, Gelibolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ömer
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Erdur
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taşli
authors.forename: Bahtiyar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.forename: Fuad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sofiyev
authors.forename: Fuat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.forename: Bahar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Çolpan
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Birkent
authors.forename: Kayhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Öztürk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies