The advantages of submandibular gland resection in anterior retropharyngeal approach to the upper cervical spine

Anterior surgery to the upper cervical spine, although rare, several successful approaches were described in the literature. To avoid the risks and limitations of transoral approach, the anterior retropharyngeal approach was developed. In this study, we describe our experience with anterior retropharyngeal approach to the upper cervical spine and discuss the significance of resecting the submandibular gland. From July 2001 to July 2004, we performed six anterior prevascular retropharyngeal approaches to the upper cervical spine. The series included five males and one female, ranging in age from 26 to 60 years (mean = 46). All six patients were intubated with nasotracheal cannula. The submandibular gland was mobilized and removed in all patients allowing adequate exposure of the arch of C1, C2, and C3 vertebral bodies. The anterior retropharyngeal approach permitted an adequate access to anteriorly situated lesions from C1 to C3 in all six patients, without the risks and limitations of transmucosal surgery. This approach allowed us to perform decompression of the spinal cord and reconstruction of the anterior column of the spine with bone graft and internal fixation. Careful removal of the submandibular gland provided better visualization of the arch of C1 and C2. No facial nerve palsy was seen in any of the six patients. Anterior retropharyngeal approach to the upper cervical spine combined with removal of the submandibular gland permits exposure of the anterior spine similar to that obtained by the transmucosal route, and provides a safe simultaneous arthrodesis and instrumentation during the primary surgical procedure without the potential contamination of the oropharyngeal cavity. Removal of the submandibular gland allows better exposure with less retraction and thus avoids severe injury to the mandibular branch of the facial nerve.