Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery; Steroid vs Saline (DysDexVSSal)

The Effects of Perioperative Steroids on Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind Study.

This prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled study evaluates the effect of perioperative IV steroids versus saline on swallowing after anterior cervical spine surgery.

This investigation is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial testing peri-operative steroids versus saline and the effect on swallowing after anterior cervical spine surgery. Swallowing symptoms will be measured using the patient reported Bazaz (Bazaz) scale and the Dysphagia Short Questionnaire (DSQ). Swallowing data will be obtained pre-operatively, one day and two days post-operatively and then one week, two weeks, four weeks, three months, six months, and one year post-operatively. Patient clinical outcomes will be captured using web-based progress reports. Patients will complete the Quality of Life (QoL-12), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires electronically pre-operatively and at one year post-operatively. This outcome data will help us analyze the swallowing function or symptoms with the overall clinical course of the patients enrolled in this study.

Patients undergoing elective anterior cervical spine surgery will be seen by spine surgeons. After consent the Bazaz and Dysphagia Short Questionnaire will be administered at baseline prior to surgery, Day 1, Day 2, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Patients will be randomized to either the steroid administration group or the saline administration group. Patients randomized to the experimental (steroid) group will receive 0.3 mg/kg of intravenous dexamethasone within one hour of the incision, then 0.15 mg/kg every eight hours for two doses. This dosage is approximately 20 mg, 10 mg, and 10 mg of dexamethasone. Patients in the control(saline) group will receive a similar volume of saline on the same schedule for three doses.

Patients undergoing elective anterior cervical spine surgery will be seen by spine surgeons. After consent the Bazaz and Dysphagia Short Questionnaire will be administered at baseline prior to surgery, Day 1, Day 2, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Patients will be randomized to either the steroid administration group or the saline administration group. Patients randomized to the experimental (steroid) group will receive 0.3 mg/kg of intravenous dexamethasone within one hour of the incision, then 0.15 mg/kg every eight hours for two doses. This dosage is approximately 20 mg, 10 mg, and 10 mg of dexamethasone. Patients in the control(saline) group will receive a similar volume of saline on the same schedule for three doses.

Dexamethasone IV given within the first hour of surgery; second dose given 8 hours after first dose; third dose given 8 hours after second dose.

Saline (placebo) IV given within the first hour of surgery; second dose given 8 hours after first dose; third dose given 8 hours after second dose.

Two measurement surveys were used: The Dysphagia Short Questionnaire: An Instrument for Evaluation of Dysphagia (DSQ) and Bazaz Dysphagia Scale (Bazaz). The DSQ and Bazaz determine levels of dysphagia over time after anterior cervical spine surgery. A DSQ score of zero indicates no symptoms. Any number above zero indicates difficulty swallowing. The Bazaz score of Zero indicates no symptoms. Any number above zero indicates difficulty swallowing. Numbers of subjects reporting any difficulty swallowing (had to have a score of at least 1) at various time points are listed below associated with the randomization assignment and survey used.

Change in Quality of life measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI) from baseline and 1 year for Treatment 1; Dexamethasone and Treatment 0; Saline placebo. The NDI measures self-rated disability due to neck pain. Each of the 10 items is scored from 0 - 5. The maximum score is 50. The higher the score the more disability. The scale is 0 - 4 = no disability; 5 - 14 = mild;15 - 24 = moderate; 25 - 34 = severe; above 34 = complete disability.

Participants were considered fused if radiographs demonstrated less than 1 millimeter of interspinous motion between flexion and extension,7 or if CT/MRI demonstrated clear evidence of bone bridging from endplate to endplate.

Inclusion Criteria: Elective anterior approach to subaxial cervical spine (C3 - T1); ages 18-80 Exclusion Criteria: Traumatic or tumor etiologies undergoing anterior-posterior operations neoplastic, or infectious conditions requiring surgery a history of previous anterior cervical spine surgery any patient requiring a halo vest patients on chronic steroids patients remaining intubated post-operatively (please see more under risks below) less than 18 years of age pregnant women no phone

Group data will be available via publication. Participants are told their randomization assignment at one year, or up to two year, follow up post surgery, dependent on their return to clinic.

Through a published manuscript and to participants via phone call or clinic visit when the participants return for regularly scheduled follow up visits.

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