title: Intra-operative screw trimming in direct screw fixation of the odontoid process fracture--technical note.
abstract: For a satisfactory direct screw fixation of fractures of the odontoid process it is necessary to use a screw of the proper total length and thread length, but such an optimal ready-made screw is not always available. The authors describe a technique of intra-operative screw trimming using a high-speed diamond drill. This adjustment is easily and quickly performed. It enables the screw to act as a compression screw, which facilitates fusion of the fractured surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Toyama Municipal Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamano
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyamori
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws; D004867:Equipment Design; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries*; D013525:Surgical Instruments