title: Anterior C1-C2 screw fixation and bony fusion through an anterior retropharyngeal approach.
abstract: We present a case that demonstrates an occasion where an alternative method of C1-C2 fusion may be used when a posterior approach limited to the atlantoaxial level is not desirable. A 22-year-old man presented with a symptomatic nonunited Brooks posterior atlantoaxial fusion following a chronically displaced type II odontoid fracture with a two-part fracture of the posterior arch of C1. An anterior retropharyngeal approach was used to perform an anterior C1-C2 fusion with screw fixation. The surgical technique, as well as the merits and indications of this infrequently used procedure, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jefferson Medical College and the Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lehman
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Ahlgren
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Garfin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male