[The use of lateral mass screws and pedicle screws for the treatment of injury of lower cervical spine].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the effect of the use of the cervical lateral mass plates screws and T(1) pedicle screws for the treatment of C(6) to C(7) injury through posterior approach.


METHODS
There were 8 patients in the study group; Each of them had been injured with low cervical spine C(6) or C(7). There were 6 cases with C(6)-C(7) injury and 2 cases with C(7) injury. According to ASIA classification, 3 cases were in grade C and 5 cases in D. The lateral mass screws were placed on the lateral masses using Margel technique. Lamina or facet bone allografting were used to achieve a long-term stability.


RESULTS
All 8 patients were followed up from 5 to 37 months (mean 15 months). No operative death occurred. There were no cord or vertebral artery injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, nerve roots injury, screw malposition or back out, loose of alignment or implant failure. Clinical symptom and ASIA classification were improved in all patients. Postoperative MRI scanning confirmed satisfactory screw placement in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique is safe and benefit to patients with low cervical spine C(6) or C(7) injury.
Zhao
Xue-Ling
XL
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming 650032, China. zhaoxuelin@vip.km169.net
Zhao
Hong-Bin
HB
Wang
Bin
B
Li
Lin-Zhi
LZ
Zhu
Xiao-Song
XS
Zhang
Chun-Qiang
CQ
D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000601:surgery*