Transarticular Fixation Using Bioabsorptive Screws for Cervical Lesions

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurosurgery
• Spinal Surgery

Background:

• Transarticular screw fixation offers an ergonomic posterior cervical fixation method without connectors or rods.
• Biomechanical studies suggest comparable fixation strength to lateral mass screws.
• Long-term surgical outcomes of bioabsorbable screws for transarticular fixation require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term surgical and radiological outcomes of posterior cervical decompression and fusion utilizing bioabsorbable screws for transarticular fixation.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 10 patients underwent cervical spine transarticular fixation with bioabsorbable screws.
• Patients were followed for a mean of 57.1 months postoperatively.
• Surgical success, complications, facet fusion, clinical symptoms, and cervical spine alignment were assessed.

Main Results:

• Transarticular screw fixation was successful in all 10 patients with no intraoperative complications.
• Facet fusion was achieved in 90% of patients, with significant clinical symptom improvement.
• No significant worsening of overall cervical spine alignment or fused segment angle was observed postoperatively.

Conclusions:

• Transarticular fixation with bioabsorbable screws is a safe and effective technique for posterior cervical fusion, yielding good long-term results.
• This method is a viable treatment option for posterior cervical decompression and fusion, particularly in cases of local instability.
• While screw breakage occurred in one case of severe instability, it did not lead to clinical deterioration or further instability.