Facet Distraction and Dysphagia: A Prospective Evaluation of This Common Postoperative Issue Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: Our primary study was to investigate whether the degree of postoperative facet and disk space distraction following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) affects the rate of postoperative dysphagia.

Summary Of Background Data: Although ACDF is safe and well tolerated, postoperative dysphagia remains a common complication.