Transpedicle Screw Fixation in Treatment of Atlantoaxial Instability and Dislocation after Trauma

［Abstract］Objective　To explore the surgical feasibility and clinical outcome of transpedicle screw fixation in treatment of atlantoaxial instability and dislocation after trauma．Methods　From January 2006 to June 2011，8 patients with atlantoaxial instability and dislocation were treated with transpedicle screw fixation. There were 6 males and 2 females，with a mean age of 43 years（range，22-64 years）．The Screw-rod fixation system made the atlas and axis stable．Results　All patients were followed up for 3-18 months，with an average of 11.5 months．All screws were successfully placed in atlas and axis．No postoperative complications such as vertebral artery injury， dural rupture，exacerbation of neurological symptoms，wound infection，and broken srews were observed in 8 cases. Neurological symptoms in some patients were improved. Postoperative radiograph and CT showed that the position of screws were satisfied. Bony fusion was observed after 6 to 18 months of operation，and atlantoaxial rotational function in all patients restored satisfactorily，but axial rotation was partially lost．Conclusion　Transpedicle screw fixation in upper cervical spine for treatment of atlantoaxial instability and dislocation is safe and reliable.