Modification of Wright’s technique for C2 translaminar screw fixation: technical note

Abstract

To describe a modification of Wright's technique for C2 translaminar screw fixation. Bilateral crossing C2 laminar screws have recently become popular as an alternative technique for C2 fixation. This technique is particularly useful in patients with anomalous anatomy, as a salvage technique where other modes of fixation have failed or as a primary procedure. However, reported disadvantages of this technique include breach of the dorsal lamina and spinal canal, early hardware failure and difficulty in bone graft placement due to the position of the polyaxial screw heads. To address some of these issues, a modified technique was used in six patients. In this technique, the upper part of the spinous process of C2 was removed and the entry point of the screw was in the base of this removed spinous process. The screw position was satisfactory in all patients. There were no intraoperative or early postoperative complications. Our modification enables placement of a bone graft on the C2 lamina and is also less likely to cause inadvertent cortical breach. Because of these advantages, it is especially suitable for patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis with destruction of the lateral masses of C2 or as part of a hybrid construct in patients with a unilateral high-riding vertebral artery. This technique is not suitable for bilateral translaminar screw placement.