Airway compromise due to laryngopharyngeal edema after anterior cervical spine surgery

Postoperative airway compromise due to laryngopharyngeal edema is a potentially serious adverse event associated with anterior cervical spine surgery. The reported incidence of this complication has varied from 1.2% to 6.1%, with a higher incidence following multi-level surgery. The relevant literature on airway compromise following anterior cervical spine surgery is reviewed.