Surgical Treatment of Esophago-Cutaneous Fistula Developing after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Case Report

ABSTRACT

Esophageal perforation is a rare but serious complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. Various methods have been developed for it's repair, and due to its multifocal blood supply, considerable length in the neck, and proximity to many important cervical structures, a sternocleidomastoid muscle flap has, in particular, been successfully utilized. The authors report two cases of cervical esophago-cutaneous fistula treated with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap.