Atlanto-axial fusion with transarticular screw fixation

We reviewed 161 patients, from four centres in Switzerland, who had undergone posterior fusion of the upper cervical spine with transarticular screw fixation of the atlanto-axial joints. They were followed up for a mean 24.6 months. The vertebral artery and the medulla escaped injury and only 5.9% of the complications were directly related to the screws. The rate of pseudarthrosis was 0.6%.