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Translaminar screws in the atlas.
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. timfloyd@micron.net
Spine
|November 14, 2000
Summary
A new surgical technique using translaminar screws for posterior C1-C2 spondylodesis in patients with a deficient atlas arch offers a safe alternative. This method achieved solid fusion and pain relief without complications in five patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Fusion Techniques
Background:
- Posterior C1-C2 spondylodesis commonly uses transarticular screws with sublaminar wires for stability.
- Sublaminar wire augmentation is not feasible with a deficient C1 arch.
- A novel fixation method was developed to address this limitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a new surgical technique for fixation augmentation in posterior C1-C2 spondylodesis.
- To evaluate the early outcomes of this innovative method in patients with a deficient C1 arch.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of five patients undergoing posterior C1-C2 spondylodesis with a deficient C1 posterior arch.
- Augmentation of fixation using translaminar screws to secure the graft to the C1 arch.
Main Results:
- Successful solid arthrodesis was achieved in all five patients.
- All patients experienced significant pain relief post-operatively.
- No neurologic complications or fixation failures were reported.
Conclusions:
- Fixation of the graft to the atlas using translaminar screws is a safe and effective alternative.
- This technique provides a viable option compared to external halo immobilization or occiput to C2 fusion.