Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation after Removal of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in the Supine-Lateral Position

Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) is an uncommon disease with a greater prevalence in children than adults. So far there has only been one report of AARS after surgery related to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. We present a new case of AARS closed reduction treatment after VP shunt removal in an 8-year-old girl with wound pain on the back of her head and torticollis after surgery. Her head was rotated in the spine-lateral position during surgery. The diagnosis of AARS was established by 3D-computed tomography. The rotatory subluxation was cured after cervical traction therapy. The successful closed reduction was the consequence of early detection and conservative treatment, which are important constituents in the management of AARS.