[Anatomic study of lower cervical spinous process for laminar screw fixation]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Anatomy

Background:

• Cervical spine injuries require stable fixation methods.
• Understanding the anatomical parameters of the lower cervical spinous process and vertebral plate is crucial for surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the anatomical dimensions of the lower cervical spinous process and vertebral plate.
• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of screw fixation at these anatomical sites.

Main Methods:

• Dissection of 20 cadaveric cervical spines (C3-C7) for manual measurement and CT scanning.
• Measurement of vertebral plate height, width, and spinous process width.
• CT-based analysis of screw trajectory, insertion angle, and proximity to critical neurovascular structures.

Main Results:

• Screw fixation was successfully achieved without impinging the spinal cord or vertebral artery.
• Vertebral plate dimensions and screw trajectory length increased from C3 to C7.
• Safe distances were maintained between screw tips and the spinal cord and vertebral artery.

Conclusions:

• Screw fixation of the lower cervical spinous process and vertebral plate is anatomically feasible.
• This technique offers a safe and stable approach for cervical spine fixation.