[Pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the neck skin due to a cervical spondylodesis - case report and review of the literature].

BACKGROUND

Pharyngo-vertebral fistulas - especially with delayed diagnosis - are a rare but grave reported complication in cervical spine surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present a patient, sent postoperatively from Italy after cervical spine surgery to our department. The patient has developed a pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the dorsal neck skin due to infected spondylodesis.

CASE REPORT

In the presented patient, the successful closure of the pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course was made after diverse revisions at the anterior side with a platysma flap, at the posterior one with a drain.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Aetiology, diagnostic work-up and treatment opinions are discussed in a detailed literature review.

CONCLUSION

To the best of the authors' knowledge the presented pharyngo-vertebral fistula with transspinous course to the dorsal neck skin as a complication after anterior cervical spine surgery has not been reported in the literature before.