Early complications of anterior cervical spine surgery and countermeasures

Objective To evaluate the early complications of anterior cervical spine surgery and countermeasures.Methods 64 patients were treated with anterior cervical spine surgery.The early complications and countermeasures were reviewed.23 cases(29 complications)got intraoperative and early postoperative complications(35.94%).By analyzing causes of complications,the countermeasures were developed.Results The major complications were as follows:lung infection in 8 cases;injury of laryngeal recurrent nerve in 2;neck incision infection in 1;esophageal fistula in 1;postoperative hypotension in 4;hyponatremia in 6;cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2;vertebra artery injury in 1;and urinary tract infection in 4.There were three patients who got pulmonary infection and hyponatremia and urinary tract infections at the same time.Two patients with pulmonary infection died and the rest were recovered.Conclusions The post-traumatic anterior cervical spine surgery are likely to get early complications,mainly related to injury severity,surgeon's operation skill,and preoperative preparation.Adequate preoperative preparation and improving operative techniques,timely and correctly handle the complications that could reduce complications and improve cure rate of complications.