Complications of Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Interbody Fusion or Arthroplasty

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion or arthroplasty is a common procedure and has been associated with satisfactory outcomes. However, the incidence of com-plications, although uncommon, needs to be taken into con-sideration. Aim of Study: Our aim is to raise awareness on anterior cervical disc procedures associated complications, their pro-phylactic measures proper management. Patients and Methods: Our prospective study conducted on 156 patients; 99 males (63.5%) and 57 females (36.5%); their age range was 26 to 65 years (mean, 45.2; SD, 12.5). The study started from January 2014 to December 2019. The follow-up was for at least 1 year, and we evaluated the clinical and radiographic signs of complications. Results: Thirteen patients (8.3%) had transient dysphagia and three patients (1.9%) had adjacent segment syndrome. two patients (1.3%) each had a post-operative hematoma and a dural tear, and two of fusion (1.4%) cases had pseudoarthro-sis. One patient (0.6%) each had an esophageal injury, Recur-rent laryngeal nerve palsy, post-operative weakness, Horner syndrome, wound infection, and slippage of artificial disc prosthesis. Conclusion: Punctilious knowledge and early recognition of the anterior cervical disc surgery-segment syndrome, hematoma, and pseudoarthrosis were the most common com-plications in our study, and their incidence relatively increases in multiple level cases associated with comorbidity. Appropriate management was done in the most majority of our cases with good functional outcomes.