Nerve injuries in cervical spine surgery via anterior approach: a comprehensive review.

ABSTRACT: Anterior cervical spine surgery is widely performed to manage degenerative, traumatic, and compressive spinal conditions. Despite its effectiveness, iatrogenic nerve injuries remain a significant concern due to the complex anatomy of the cervical region. This review offers a focused narrative on nerve injuries associated with anterior cervical approaches, including recurrent and superior laryngeal nerve palsy, C5 nerve root palsy, and hypoglossal nerve injury. Less common complications such as Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS), C8-T1 radiculopathy, and Horner's syndrome are also addressed. Each injury is discussed in terms of anatomical relevance, incidence, clinical features, diagnosis, and strategies for prevention and management. A structured review of PubMed-indexed literature from the p

SUBMITTER: Hasan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12775630 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature