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Updated: Jul 1, 2025
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Ovine Model
Published on: October 5, 2009
Anterior retropharyngeal approach (ARPA) for high cervical spine
Deepak Kumar Singh1, Kshitij Sinha2, Vipin Kumar Chand1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Background:
One of the major challenges in operating on the spine lies in taking an anterior approach for the high cervical spine. In patients with a short neck, Klippel-Fiel syndrome or when the C3 vertebra is high in relation to the hyoid bone, it will be difficult to access the C3 body. The transoral route is a highly contaminated zone, and therefore, no instrumentation or grafts can be placed through it.
Method:
The anterior retropharyngeal approach (ARPA) for the high cervical spine.
Conclusion:
The anterior retropharyngeal approach is an excellent approach for the high cervical spine where instrumentation is needed. This route provides wide exposure of the C1-C3 region, avoiding the contaminated of the oral cavity.
