*5.2.6 Surgical level: several*

Studies found that a high level of cervical spine surgery, such as C3-4, is associated with more dysphagia than the lower levels. In the upper cervical spine, the risk of superior laryngeal nerve injury is amplified which entails an increased risk of dysphagia. As the retropharyngeal space in the upper cervical spine is more generous than in inferior cervical spine, the soft tissue swelling will be potentially more severe [39].
