A simple technique for easier anterior odontoid screw fixation

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Spinal surgery
• Osteosynthesis

Background:

• Anterior odontoid screw fixation (AOSF) is a key technique for odontoid fractures, offering stability and preserving motion.
• Accurate screw placement is crucial, often relying on image guidance.
• Minimally invasive approaches aim to reduce complications like neural injury and perforation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel, less invasive anterior technique for odontoid screw insertion.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of this simplified approach.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case series of eight patients with odontoid fractures.
• Utilized AOSF with fluoroscopic guidance and a Jamshidi needle as a sleeve for guide wire insertion.
• Patients were treated between January 2014 and October 2015.

Main Results:

• The procedure was technically successful in all patients without complications.
• Average operative time was 75 minutes with minimal blood loss (25 mL).
• Radiographic fusion was achieved in 87.5% of patients after a mean 12.1-month follow-up, with no hardware issues.

Conclusions:

• The new less invasive AOSF technique using a Jamshidi needle is technically straightforward.
• This approach demonstrates good short-term clinical and radiological outcomes.
• The technique appears safe and effective for treating odontoid fractures.