**8. Treatment**

The aim of treatment in postoperative dysphagia following ACSS is to maximize the food transit, minimize or prevent respiratory aspiration and related adverse effect [42].

Currently there is no specific treatment for dysphagia, as many patients with postoperative dysphagia will resolve with time. The available treatment include behavioral, postural changes, sensory input enhancement, swallowing maneuvers, voluntary control in effort exerted during swallowing and diet modification [43].

The best form of treatment is prevention, as discussed in the next section.

For persistent dysphagia that extends for more than 12–18 months, some authors recommend surgical treatment to debride the adhesion or anterior cervical instrumentation to immobilize the spine to avoid esophagus tethering and traction [44].
