C1-2 transarticular screws combined with C1 laminar hooks fixation: a modified posterior atlantoaxial fixation technique and outcome in 72 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of C1-2 transarticular screws combined with C1 laminar hooks fixation.


METHODS
All patients underwent atlantoaxial fixation during a 5-year period. The surgical technique and treatment procedures were intensively reviewed and clinical symptoms, neurological function and imaging appearance were retrospectively evaluated.


RESULTS
The clinical and radiology follow-up indicated a stable arthrodesis and clinical relief from symptoms for all patients. All patients with neurological defects improved an average of 1.33 grade at their most recent clinical assessment, P < 0.05; their average admission ASIA motor score, pin prick score and light touch score improved to an average follow-up ASIA score of 99.80 (99.83 ± 0.38), 111.83 (111.83 ± 0.45), and 111.89 (111.89 ± 0.32), respectively. No neurovascular impairment and case of implant failure were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The C1-2 transarticular screws combined with C1 laminar hooks fixation is a reliable technique for atlantoaxial instability.
Department of Spinal Surgery, The second affiliated hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Bin
B
Ni
Xiang
X
Guo
Ning
N
Xie
Songkai
S
Li
Fengjing
F
Zhou
Feng
F
Zhang
Qi
Q
Liu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome