An anterior high cervical retropharyngeal approach for C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion.

Craniovertebral instability is a significant challenge to neurosurgeons. We describe an alternative anterior high cervical retropharyngeal approach for C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion. We dissected 10 cadaveric specimens and fixed the atlantoaxial joint with C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion. We achieved good surgical exposure and fixation in all cadavers with this technique. The anterior high cervical retropharyngeal approach for C1-C2 intrafacetal fusion and transarticular screw insertion may provide an alternative fusion technique for craniovertebral fusion.