Prospective analysis of incidence and risk factors of dysphagia in spine surgery patients: comparison of anterior cervical, posterior cervical, and lumbar procedures.

Study Design: A 3-year prospective, cohort study.

Objectives: To compare the incidence and risk factors of dysphagia after anterior cervical (AC), posterior cervical (PC), and posterior lumbar (PL) spine procedures.

Summary Of Background Data: Dysphagia is a known risk of AC surgery; however, comprehensive postoperative swallow evaluations have not been performed for a comparative cohort of AC, PC, and PL surgery patients.