Abstract
In this case report of extrusion of an interlocking plate into the esophagus of a patient 17 years after anterior cervical fixation, the authors describe a rare complication and review the literature on this topic. A 70-year-old man underwent anterior cervical fixation using an interlocking plate and wire. Six years after the operation, endoscopy revealed esophageal perforation by an interlocking plate without causing any symptoms and the patient was closely followed up since. Seventeen years after the operation, the patient presented with severe dysphagia. Chest radiographic findings indicated that an interlocking plate had fallen through the esophagus. The interlocking plate was removed endoscopically and the patient was discharged without any symptoms.
