title: Alternative technique of cervical spinal stabilization employing lateral mass plate and screw and intra-articular spacer fixation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The author discusses an alternative technique of segmental cervical spinal fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subtleties of the technique are discussed on the basis of experience with 3 cases with a follow-up of between 30 and 36 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  The technique involves debridement of facetal articular cartilage, distraction of facets, jamming of 'Goel spacer' into the articular cavity and fortification of the fixation by lateral mass plate and screw fixation. The 'double-insurance' method of fixation is safe for vertebral artery, nerve roots and spinal neural structures and the fixation is strong.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The discussed technique is safe and provides a strong fixation and a ground for ultimate arthrodesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goel
keywords: Goel spacer; intraarticular; plate; screw; transarticular
references.citation: J Neurosurg Spine. 2007 Jul;7(1):90-4
references.pmid: 17633495
references.citation: J Craniovertebr Junction Spine. 2011 Jul;2(2):55-6
references.pmid: 23125488
references.citation: J Craniovertebr Junction Spine. 2011 Jan;2(1):1-2
references.pmid: 22013368
references.citation: J Neurosurg Spine. 2011 Jun;14(6):689-96
references.pmid: 21417697
references.citation: Acta Neurochir (Wien). 1994;129(1-2):47-53
references.pmid: 7998495
references.citation: Nouv Presse Med. 1972 Oct 21;1(37):2484-5
references.pmid: 5084538
references.citation: J Craniovertebr Junction Spine. 2010 Jul;1(2):65-6
references.pmid: 21572626
references.citation: Neurosurgery. 2002 Dec;51(6):1351-6; discussion 1356-7
references.pmid: 12445339
references.citation: J Neurosurg Spine. 2013 Dec;19(6):672-7
references.pmid: 21923239
references.citation: J Neurosurg Spine. 2004 Oct;1(3):281-6
references.pmid: 15478366