Cervies, where /how is your incision?

Just curious, as it was brought up in the 'swallowing difficulties' topic: my fusion incision as well as the percutaneous nucleotomy incision are on the right side of my throat, and are horizontal.

I believe it was Kanutta who said something about always going in the left side to avoid swallowing difficulties?

Those of you who have had any kind of cervical surgery, could you give me your 'scar stats' and tell me if you've had post-op swallowing problems??

THX!

Trace

I have never read or heard about this before, so this was new for me also, until my surgeon mentionned it when discussing my surgery. It is not so uncommon to have swallowing difficulties after cervical fusion, due to retraction of the Recurrence Nerve. Going in on the left side minimize the risk, he said.
My problems are on the right side.

Maybe it's a Norwegian speciality.. I think the procedures differ from hospital to hospital.

A friend of mine just had cervical fusion with plastic cage with this " left approach "procedure, and was only having sore throat for a week.

After my first surgery ACDF with a horizontal incision on the right I had some hoarseness and trouble swallowing solids unless I used a water chaser.

After the recent ADR with a vertical cut on the left, I didn't have the husky voice and had only mild difficulty swallowing for about one week.

I hope that helps.
Be well.
Kim

Really interesting...hmmmm, think I'm going to bring this up to my NS.

[Fortitudine]

Good question, Trace, but.... what if your surgeon goes in on the right? I'm not sure I want to know as it won't change my decision. My consolation might be the happy loss of a pound or two!

Trace,
I had all my surg so far on the rt side.(horizontal) First fusion- just had sore throat. no other problems. Second fusion- again just alittle horseness, sore throat- went away. Third one- not so lucky. This time my singing voice was gone(except if I sung very low) and I could not yell much- I had instant horseness. After about 4 months of this, I went to my ENT dr. for eval. He scoped me and said that the surg was effecting my vocal cords and said that if it does not go away by the 9 month post op that I have permanent damage. I was devastated. So I asked those around me to pray about it. within 1 month, I was back to normal- Praise God for that!!
Now scared of a reoccurance,I asked my Dr. from Maryland ( Mcafee) about this and he said you never go in on the rt!!!He said the less risk side is the lt!!!I believe Dr. Fenk-meyer- Dr.B's assoc. from Germany said the same thing.
I will demand they go in on the lt. and they know my hx- they even asked for the ENT report before I go to Germany.(MAY 1). So my advice is LT SIDE!!!! And PRAYERS!
Blessings,
Blondyk