title: How I do it: cervical lateral mass screw fixation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical lateral mass screw fixation is indicated for the treatment of cervical subaxial C3-C7 lesions associated with instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors first describe the surgical anatomy of the subaxial cervical posterior approach. Then the Magerl technique is detailed. In particular, tricks to avoid complications are presented. The ideal screw entry point, direction, size and exit point are mentioned. A surgical video, artist's drawings and a radiological case report are included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Magerl technique is a safe and effective lateral mass fixation technique. Respecting anatomical landmarks is crucial to avoid nerve root, vertebral artery and facet joint injury.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Medical Center, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. tessenri@libero.it
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tessitore
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: El-Hassani
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schaller
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws / Q000592:standards*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000592:standards*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*