[Pharyngo-esophageal risk of surgery of the cervical spine using an anterior approach].

The authors report six cases of pharyngo-oesophageal damage associated with fractures of the cervical spine treated by osteo-synthesis via the anterior route. These complications, not previously described, may have life threatening (especially mediastinitis) and functional consequences. They discuss the relative responsibility of: the initial trauma, which should be better defined by an initial endoscopic assessment. the surgical approach, the principles of which and its dangers and preventive aspects are discussed, early or late fixation failure justifying careful surveillance of the osteosynthesis material and in certain cases its systematic removal.