An anterior high cervical retropharyngeal approach for C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion.
Craniovertebral instability is a significant challenge to neurosurgeons. We describe an alternative anterior high cervical retropharyngeal approach for C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion. We dissected 10 cadaveric specimens and fixed the atlantoaxial joint with C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion. We achieved good surgical exposure and fixation in all cadavers with this technique. The anterior high cervical retropharyngeal approach for C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion may provide an alternative fusion technique for craniovertebral fusion.
Department of Neurosurgery, Lokmanya Tilak Muncipal (LTM) Medical College and Municipal General Hospital, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Road, College Building, 2nd Floor, Room 14, Sion, Mumbai 400022, India. drkansal@yahoo.co.in
Ritesh
R
Kansal
Alok
A
Sharma
Sanjay
S
Kukreja
D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*