[Posterior screw fixation for craniocervical junction instability].

Introduction: The craniocervical junction (C0-C2) is anatomically and biomechanically the most complex spinal region. It is frequently engaged by different pathologies of tumoral, traumatic or inflammatory origin, leading to spinal instability. We are presenting our experience with the posterior screw fixation for the treatment of the craniocervical junction instabilities.

Material And Methods: Six posterior screw fixation of the craniocervical junction with the DePuy cervical fixation system - Summit were made for a period of 9 months. In 5 cases the instability was caused by a traumatic injury and in 1 - by a malignancy. A C1- C2 fixation was made in 1 case, C2 - C3 in 2 cases, C0-C2-C3-C4 in 2 cases and N0 - N3 - N4 - N5 in 1 case.

Results: No complications related to the surgical technique applied were observed. No dural, neural or vascular damages were provoked. In all cases the postoperative course was uneventful. The early clinical and radiologic follow-up data were satisfactory.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that the posterior screw fixation is a reliable and efficient option for surgical treatment of craniocervical instability.