ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the clinical effect and the notes of atlas lateral mass screws combined with posterior epistropheus ped-icle screws for the treatment of atlantoaxial joint instability. Methods In our hospital from January 2006 to January 2011,48 cases of atlan-toaxial joint instability accepted operation of the atlas lateral mass screws combined with epistropheus pedicle screws were analyzed. Results All patients with follow-up time 12~24 months,an average of 17 months,were achieved primary healing and atlanto-axial intervertebral osse-ous healing. Besides postoperative neck pillow area pain improved and nerve function get a degree of recovery,there was no inner fixed damage cases. Complications of operation include venous plexus hemorrhage was in 2 cases,cervical occipital pain and numbness increase in 3 cases,cere-brospinal fluid leak in 2 cases,vertebral artery extrusion occlusion after cerebral ischemic symptoms in 1 case. Conclusion Combination of atlas lateral mass screws and posterior epistropheus pedicle screws technique is one of the effective means of treatment of atlantoaxial joint instabili-ty and can obtain satisfactory clinical effect. Standard operation performance is the key to reduce or even eliminate surgical complications.