Cervical Spondylitis as a Complication of Secondary Cleft Palate Surgery—A Rare Variety of the ‘maladie De Grisel”: Case Report

Abstract

Spontaneous atlanto-axial dislocation, due to metastatic lymphogenous infection and rupture of the transverse ligament is a well-known but rare complication of nasopharyngeal infections and/or operations. Previously one such case has been reported following a velopharyngeal flap (distally based) in a child with cleft palate. This is a report of two adult cleft patients with spondylitis of C 111 resulting in spontaneous fusion of C 11-111, following a combined (cranially based) velopharyngeal flap and a dynamic muscle sphincter operation in one stage. Prolonged postoperative pain and stiffness of the neck should make one suspect this rare complication.