Impact of local steroid application on dysphagia following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: results of a prospective, randomized single-blind trial

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

121 patients scheduled for single- or multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were randomized to intraoperative local application or either methylprednisolone 40mg (DepoMedrol) or saline. The primary purpose of this study was to compared patient-reported swallowing function between groups after 6 and 12 weeks. Additional, preveterbral soft-tissue swelling was assessed on sagittal radiographs. Results for the primary outcome demonstrated no significant differences between groups. The swelling index for PSTS demonstrated a significant difference between groups for the mean score at 6 and 12 weeks, but no significant difference was observed in assessment of change from baseline in swelling index after 6 and 12 weeks.