Analysis of risk factors for postoperative dysphagia after C1-2 fusion

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the risk factors for dysphagia after C1-2 fusion in patients with C1-2 junction diseases. Summary of the background dataDysphagia is a common postoperative complication of posterior C1-2 junction surgery. The incidence is 9.5% to 26.3%. However, the etiopathogenisis of postoperative dysphagia remains controversial. MethodsThis retrospective study included patients who underwent C1-2 fusion from January 2016 to January 2020. The patients were divided into dysphagia group and control group in accordance with the Bazaz R dysphagia scoring system. The patients' age, gender, BMI(body mass index), cause of disease, and changes in the C01cobb, C02cobb, C12cobb, C27cobb, dC02cobb, dC01cobb, dC12cobb, d C27cobb angles before and after operation, were recorded. The parameters and changes were compared to analyze the risk factors for dysphagia after C1-2 fusion. Results65 cases (15, with dysphagia; 50, without dysphagia) were included. The incidence of postoperative dysphagia was 23%. The differences in age, gender ratio, and BMI between the two groups were not significant (P > 0.05). The differences among postoperative C12 (29.8 degrees +/- 11.24 degrees vs. 20.46 degrees +/- 13.39 degrees), postoperative C27cobb (10.56 degrees +/- 8.53 degrees vs. 20.21 degrees +/- 13.21 degrees), and dC12cobb (9.49 degrees +/- 5.16 degrees vs. 1.07 degrees +/- 12.44 degrees) between the two groups were significant (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that dC12cobb > 5 degrees was a significant independent risk factor for postoperative dysphagia, And preoperative C27cobb was a preventive factor of postoperative dysphagia. ConclusionsDysphagia after the C1-2 fusion was common. dC02cobb and dC12cobb were the significant independent risk factors for postoperative dysphagia. Preoperative c27cobb was a preventive factor of dysphagia.