Transoral Anterior Decompression and Posterior Fusion of Irreducible Atlantoaxial Dislocation with Spinal Cord Injury: Case Report

ABSTRACT

We report a case of irreducible atlantaxial dislocation with spinal cord injury. The patient was a 36-year-old man who suffered from the sudden onset of shallow respiration and severe motor weakness after slip down. We have performed the one-stage operation, the transoral decompression, reduction and posterior interspinous wiring with bone fusion. Three weeks after surgery, the reduction state and posterior wiring procedure were failed, due to severe osteoporotic change. So, we have performed second operation, the transarticular facet screw fixation and occipito-cervical fixation with Steinmann pin, from which good postoperative stability and neurological improvements, were obtained.