title: Safe, Effective and Easily Reproducible Fusion Technique for CV Junction Instability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) refers to a bony enclosure where the occipital bone surrounds the foramen magnum, the atlas and the axis vertebrae. Because of the complexity of structures, CVJ instability is associated with diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Posterior CV fusion procedures have evolved a lot over the last couple of decades. There has been a lookout for one such surgical procedure which is inherently safe, simple, easily reproducible and biomechanically sound. In our study, we present the initial experience the cases of CV junction instrumentation using O-C1-C2 screw & rod construct operated by the author.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study is a descriptive analysis of the cases of CVJ instability treated by us with instrumentation using O-C1-C2 screw and rod construct fusion technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  It is a retrospective, analytical study in which cases of CV junction instability operated by the author between January 2010 to March 2014 were analysed using various clinical, radiological and outcome parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CV junction instrumentation using O-C1-C2 screw and rod construct fusion technique proved to be safe, effective, easily reproducible and biomechanically sound technique which can be adopted by all surgeons who may be at any stage of their learning curve.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Father Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady, Mangalore, India .
authors.forename: Madhukar T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Father Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady, Mangalore India .
authors.forename: Raghavendra Bakki
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Sannegowda
keywords: Atlanto axial dislocation; Basilar invagination; CV junction anomalies; CVJ instrumentation; Cervical canal stenosis; Lateral mass screws; Pedicle screws