Pharyngovertebrale Fistel mit transspinalem Verlauf zur Nackenhaut bei zervikaler Spondylodese – Falldarstellung und Literaturübersicht

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.