Turkish Neurosurgery, cilt.23, sa.5, ss.639-644, 2013 (SCI-Expanded)
Aim: We describe a modified form of traditional open surgery with a new guide tube. This guide tube permits anterior screwing of odontoid in a shorter time with a more simple technique as compared to traditional open surgery, endoscopic and percutaneous surgeries. MATERIAL and METHODS: Our series includes 6 patients who were operated for unstable odontoid fracture. We used a new guide tube for anterior odontoid screw fixation. This guide tube was designed by the first author to facilitate the insertion of the K-wire for placement of a cannulated lag screw. RESULTS: Successful placement of the odontoid screws and immediate spinal stabilization were achieved in all patients. Solid fusion was observed during follow-up time in all patients. CONCLUSION: This screw insertion technique for odontoid screw fixation provides a minimally invasive, safe and easy surgery in contrast to other surgical approaches.