The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Dysphagia is a frequent complication after anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF). Although dysphagia usually improves over 6 months, it remains a significant and persistent problem for some patients. The etiology is poorly understood but has been reported to be associated with vocal cord paralysis, dislodgement of instrumentation and unidentified causes, such as hematoma, adhesion formation and denervation of the pharyngeal plexus. A surgical treatment of dysphagia after ACIF has not been reported. ⋯ Surgical treatment of dysphagia after ACIF has not been reported. Removal of the cervical instrumentation in patients will improve the dysphagia. This improvement with surgical management, as compared with the dissatisfaction before surgical treatment, documents that this surgical treatment is a reasonable option.