TTE and Dysphagia in Anterior Cervical Surgery

Investigating the Role of Tracheal Traction Exercises (TTE) in Reducing Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Surgery

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if Tracheal Traction Exercises (TTE) performed prior to anterior cervical spine surgery can result in a decreased rate of dysphagia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elective Anterior cervical spine surgery (C2-C7) for degenerative disc disease or myelopathy

Exclusion Criteria:

• More than four levels of fusion
• Trauma or urgent cases of anterior cervical spine surgery
• Prior anterior cervical spine surgery (a known risk factor for dysphagia),
• Prior neck surgery (eg. Thyroidectomy)
• Tumors
• Infections
• Neurological disorders that can predispose to dysphagia such as Parkinson's, Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA), Alzheimer's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.