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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior instrumentation on swallowing function and physiology as measured on videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. Method: We retrospectively analyzed both functional measures (penetration-aspiration, residue) and physiological/anatomical measures (hyoid excursion, posterior pharyngeal wall thickness) in a series of 17 patients (8 men, 9 women, mean age 54 years). These measures were extracted from calibrated 5-ml boluses of thin radio-opaque liquids on both pre-ACDF and post-ACDF videofluoroscopies, thus controlling for individual variation and protocol variation. Results: After ACDF surgery, we found significant withinsubject worsening of Penetration-Aspiration Scale (Rosenbek, Robbins, Roecker, Coyle, & Wood, 1996) scores, vallecular (but not piriform sinus) residue, superior (but not anterior) hyoid excursion, and posterior pharyngeal wall thickness. Results are discussed in the context of previous literature. Conclusions: ACDF surgery can affect both physiological/anatomical and functional measures of swallowing. Future research should expand to other biomechanical and temporal variables, as well as greater bolus volumes and a wider array of viscosities and textures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the implant complications and speed of fusion in cervical discectomy and autograft fusion. The study enrolls 122 patients who underwent cervical discectomy and autograft fusion using dynamic plate and rigid plate. After 2 years, loss of lordosis, complications, segmental mobility were recorded. Results show that 4 patients had implant complications from rigid plate designs.