Complex pediatric cervical spine surgery using smaller nonspinal screws and plates and intraoperative computed tomography

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Abstract
Object The treatment of craniocervical instability in children is often challenging due to their small spine bones, complex anatomy, and unique syndromes. The authors discuss their surgical experience with 33 cases in the treatment of 31 children (≤17 years of age) with craniocervical spine instability using smaller nontraditional titanium screws and plates, as well as intraoperative CT. Methods All craniocervical fusion procedures were performed using intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging and electrophysiological monitoring. Nontraditional spine hardware included smaller screw sizes (2.4 and 2.7 mm) from the orthopedic hand/foot set and mandibular plates. Twenty-three of the 33 surgical procedures were performed with intraoperative CT, which was used to confirm adequate position of the spine hardware and alignment of the spine. Results The mean patient age was 9.5 years (range 2–17 years). Eleven children underwent a posterior C1–2 transarticular screw fusion, 17 had an occipitocervical fusion, and 3 had a...

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