TY - JOUR
T1 - Fusion and instrumentation at C1-3 via the high anterior cervical approach
AU - Vender, John R.
AU - Harrison, Steven J.
AU - McDonnell, Dennis E.
PY - 2000/1
Y1 - 2000/1
N2 - Object. The high anterior cervical, retropharyngeal approach to the anterior foramen magnum and upper cervical spine is a favorable alternative to the transoral and posterolateral approaches, which both cause instability of the craniovertebral junction. Previously, such instability was corrected via an occipitocervical fusion during a separate surgical procedure. Methods. Seven patients requiring C-2 corpectomy (foramen magnum meningioma [two patients], critical stenosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis [two patients], C-2 fracture [two patients], and stenosis secondly to Rickets [one patient]) are presented. All patients underwent C1-3 fusion followed by instrumentation with a Caspar plate. A solid fusion was achieved in six patients. One patient experienced erosion of the anterior arch of C-1 requiring posterior stabilization. Conclusions. Fusion and instrumentation at C1-3 can be performed safely and with minimal increase in surgical time. In selected patients, this may eliminate the need for an additional posterior procedure and maintain occipital-C1 mobility.
AB - Object. The high anterior cervical, retropharyngeal approach to the anterior foramen magnum and upper cervical spine is a favorable alternative to the transoral and posterolateral approaches, which both cause instability of the craniovertebral junction. Previously, such instability was corrected via an occipitocervical fusion during a separate surgical procedure. Methods. Seven patients requiring C-2 corpectomy (foramen magnum meningioma [two patients], critical stenosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis [two patients], C-2 fracture [two patients], and stenosis secondly to Rickets [one patient]) are presented. All patients underwent C1-3 fusion followed by instrumentation with a Caspar plate. A solid fusion was achieved in six patients. One patient experienced erosion of the anterior arch of C-1 requiring posterior stabilization. Conclusions. Fusion and instrumentation at C1-3 can be performed safely and with minimal increase in surgical time. In selected patients, this may eliminate the need for an additional posterior procedure and maintain occipital-C1 mobility.
KW - Anterior C1-3 arthrodesis
KW - Caspar plate
KW - Craniovertebral junction
KW - Foramen magnum
KW - Transcervical approach
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U2 - 10.3171/spi.2000.92.1.0024
DO - 10.3171/spi.2000.92.1.0024
M3 - Article
C2 - 10616054
AN - SCOPUS:0033962841
SN - 0022-3085
VL - 92
SP - 24
EP - 29
JO - Journal of neurosurgery
JF - Journal of neurosurgery
IS - 1 SUPPL.
ER -