title: [Atlanto-axial screw-plate fixation and bone fusion for the treatment of atlanto-axial instability].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical outcomes of atlanto-axial screw-plate fixation and bone fusion for the treatment of atlanto-axial instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2003 to June 2008,15 cases with atlanto-axial instability were treated with atlanto-axial lateral mass screw-plate fixation and self-cancellous bone graft fusion. There were 10 males and 5 females with the mean age of 41.7 years (range, from 19 to 72 years). Six cases were old odontoid fracture, 3 cases rheumatoid arthritis, 6 cases odontoid developmental deformity. All patients had symptoms and signs of upper cervical myelopathy and the imaging displayed atlanto-axial instability. JOA scores before operation were from 6 to 11 with an average of 7.4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up with the mean of 28 months (range, from 9 to 40 months). The follow-up data indicated solid fusion in all patients, posterior reductions were satisfactory, no loosening or screw-plate broken was found. There were 10 cases which spinal cord function improved obviously, 4 cases improved slightly, 1 case no changed in the study. The postoperative JOA scores were from 13 to 17 with an average of 15.6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atlanto-axial screw-plate fixation and self-cancellous bone graft can stabilize atlas and axis, and promote fusion of atlanto-axial joint, which is an effective method for the treatment of atlanto-axial instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Orthopaedic Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Chun-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Qing-De
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome