Three Cases of Upper Airway Obstruction after Posterior Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery

We report three cases of upper airway obstruction after extended-duration posterior cervical spinal fusion surgery. Two cases showed dyspnea and reduction in arterial oxygen saturation immediately or within a few hours after operation, requiring tracheal intubation. The other case, however, could not be extubated because the patient showed severe anterior neck edema. The risk factors of upper airway obstruction after posterior cervical spinal fusion surgery are as follows: extended-duration operation, multi-level spinal fusion, and rheumatic disease. In such cases, we should prepare to possibly re-intubate due to post-operative airway obstruction.