Considerations in revising occipitocervical fixation for dysphagia

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia after occipitocervical fixation (OCF) is a complex phenomenon and revision surgery in this context involves difficult decision-making. The pathogenesis is explored and surgical strategies discussed. A surgical strategy that has not been described before in the management of this condition, is discussed with two illustrative cases. METHODS: Two cases are presented where dysphagia occurred after OCF for C1/C2 instability. The preoperative imaging was not available to determine whether the optimal craniocervical angle had been achieved. Both had revision surgery with removal of the cranial fixation and fusion to the atlas instead. One of the cases had the revision surgery more than 10 years after the original OCF. RESULTS: The dysphagia recovered after the revision surgery in both cases. The patients gained weight and reported more satisfaction with their posture and head movements compared to before the revision surgery. There was no head ptosis and instead, patients reported better forward gaze and head position. CONCLUSION: In cases of C1/C2 instability, it is preferable to perform C1/C2 fusion rather than OCF. If performing an OCF, care must be taken to fix the head at the same O-C2 angle as preoperative. When an OCF done for C1 C2 instability ends up causing dysphagia, it is feasible and effective to shorten the rostral construct by removing the cranial fixation and fusing to C1 instead.