title: Comparison between Bilateral C2 Pedicle Screwing and Unilateral C2 Pedicle Screwing, Combined with Contralateral C2 Laminar Screwing, for Atlantoaxial Posterior Fixation.
abstract: METHODS
  A retrospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare clinical and radiological outcomes between bilateral C2 pedicle screwing (C2PS) and unilateral C2PS, combined with contralateral C2 laminar screwing (LS), for posterior atlantoaxial fixation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Posterior fixation with C1 lateral mass screwing (C1LMS) and C2PS (C1LMS-C2PS method) is an accepted procedure for rigid atlantoaxial stabilization. However, conventional bilateral C2PS is not always allowed in this method due to anatomical variations of C2 pedicles and/or asymmetry of the vertebral artery. Although unilateral C2PS plus contralateral LS (C2PS+LS) is an alternative in such cases, the efficacy of this procedure has not been evaluated in controlled studies (i.e., with bilateral C2PS as a control).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and radiological records of patients who underwent the C1LMS-C2PS method, using unilateral C2PS+LS (n=9), and those treated using conventional bilateral C2PS (n=10) were compared, with a minimum two years follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative complications related to the unilateral C2PS+LS technique included one case of spontaneous spinous process fracture of C2. A C1 anterior arch fracture occurred after a fall in one patient, who underwent bilateral C2PS and C1 laminectomy. No significant differences were seen between the groups in reduction of neck pain after surgery or improvement of neurological status, as evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. A delayed union occurred in one patient each of the groups, with the final fusion rate being 100% in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical and radiological outcomes of unilateral C2PS+LS were comparable with those of the bilateral C2PS fixation technique for the C1LMS-C2PS method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Naohisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyakoshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita Kumiai General Hospital, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita Red Cross Hospital, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita Kumiai General Hospital, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
keywords: Atlantoaxial instability; Cervical spine; Laminar screw; Pedicle screw