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No differences in anterior cervical surgery results seen with lateral or medial Smith-Robinson approach
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In this study, Chinese researchers who compared rates of dysphagia after surgical dissection was performed with Smith-Robinson approach done either medial to the omohyoid muscle (MEO) or lateral to the omohyoid muscle (LEO) found no difference between the techniques for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
“The findings from this study suggest that the LEO approach should be selected if the level of surgery involves C3–C4. For C6–C7 surgery, however, a left-sided MEO approach should be used,” the researchers stated in the abstract. “Depending on surgeon’s preference, either approach can be used if both cervical levels are involved.”
The researchers found no significant difference regarding age, gender, body mass index or duration of the procedures, according to the abstract. Additionally, dysphagia-specific quality of life (SWAL-QOL) scores were not different between the groups at 1, 3, 6 or 12 weeks or 6 months postoperatively.
However, SWAL-QOL scores were significantly lower in the C3 to C4 subgroup when MEO was used, and the scores were significantly lower with the LEO approach, according to the abstract.
The researchers noted two of the 80 patients enrolled in the study developed dysphonia, but it resolved without treatment after 3 months.
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