Radiographic measurements for the prediction of dysphagia after occipitocervical fusion: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Occipitocervical fusion (OCF) is a procedure performed for multiple upper cervical pathologies. A common postprocedural complication of OCF is dysphagia, which has been linked to the narrowing of the pharyngeal space due to fixation in a hyper-flexed angle. Postoperative dysphagia is linked to reduced quality of life, prolonged hospital stay, aspiration pneumonia, and increased mortality. This has led to investigations of the association between sagittal radiographic angles and dysphagia following OCF.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed to explore the current evidence regarding cervical sagittal radiographic measurements and dysphagia following OCF. A search strategy was carried out using the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases fr

SUBMITTER: Tatter C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10140007 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature