Subaxial Cervical Pedicular Screw Insertion via the Nonanatomic Axis: Technical Notes and Preliminary Clinical Report

Retrospective study.

To report the technical details of subaxial cervical pedicular screw insertion via the nonanatomic axis (nAA-CPS) and evaluate its clinical safety and accuracy.

The nAA-CPS technique was performed in 21 patients. Preoperative and intraoperative management-related details are described, and a manipulation protocol is presented. Clinical outcomes were used to assess the safety and accuracy of screws was evaluated using postoperative computed tomography (CT) according to the pedicle perforation grading system, and the nonanatomic pedicle transverse angle (nPTA) and nonanatomic pedicle axis length (nPAL) were assessed based on pre- and postoperative CT images.

According to "one constant entry point (EP) and two perpendicular trajectory angles" protocol, nAA-CPS was performed without much interference from the muscles. No intraoperative or postoperative neurovascular complications related to the technique were observed. Of the 112 inserted screws, 78 (69.64%) were assessed as grade 0, 24 (21.43%) as grade 1, 4 (3.57%) as grade 2 and 6 (5.36%) as grade 3. The overall rate of correct position (grades 0 and 1) was 91.07% (102/112), and the rate of malposition was 8.93% (10/112), including five screws implanted medially and the other five laterally. The nPTA was highly consistent on pre- and postoperative CT (P < .05), while postoperative nPAL was significantly shorter than preoperative nPAL (P > .05).

Clinically, the accuracy and safety of nAA-CPS was similar to the traditional CPS technique. The protocol, derived from previous radiological studies and workshops, greatly helped standardize clinical manipulation; thus, nAA-CPS is a promising alternative to the traditional CPS.