Treatment of Unstable Atlas Fracture with Crossing Screw Internal Fixation in the Posterior Arch of Atlas
Guo Yicheng
Xie Zhipeng
Guo Wenjie
Zhao Yang
Xian Jianying
Chen Xinlian
Zhao Min
Abstract：Objective To explore the curative effect of crossing screw internal fixation in the posterior arch of atlas for unstable atlas fractures.Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with unstable atlas fracture treated by the technique of crossing screw internal fixation in the posterior arch of atlas from March 2017 to July 2023 in the 946th Hospital of PLA were retrospectively analyzed.The patients included 7 males and 2 females,aged 30～66 years[mean age(49.2±8.9)years].The causes of injury were motor vehicle accidents in 8 cases and a fall from height in 1 case.All fractures were diagnosed as unstable atlas fractures with an intact posterior arch.The therapeutic effects,advantages,and disadvantages of the crossing screw internal fixation technique were analyzed.Results Patients were followed up for 15 to 76 months[mean(39.0±9.5)months].All incisions healed well,and screw placement and bone grafting outcomes were satisfactory.Except for a slight reduction in cervical motion,the therapeutic effect was satisfactory.No postoperative complications occurred.Conclusion Crossing screw internal fixation in the posterior arch of atlas for unstable atlas fractures is easy to perform,offers safe nail placement,and achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes.Long-term efficacy requires further study.
Keywords：crossing screw of posterior atlas archatlas fractureintact posterior archunstableinternal fixation
Publication Date：2025-04-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 295-297,317 )