Conventional methods used for C1 posterior fixation include posterior wiring [12], transarticular screws [3], and pedicle or lateral mass screws [45]. Recently, the use of wiring or hooks has been replaced by that of screws, which provide immediate stability and an excellent fusion rate [5]. However, screw fixation is associated with an increased risk of vertebral artery (VA) injury, especially in patients in whom the VA is found at an anomalous location. Moreover, in patients with a unilateral VA occlusion, the contralateral VA must be preserved to avoid severe complications such as medullary or cerebellar infarction associated with VA injury [6].

Here we describe a technique using a C1 laminar screw in combination with a C2 laminar screw as a salvage technique to treat two patients, one with an anomalous VA (persistent first intersegmental artery) and the other with a VA occlusion after cervical spine fracture.

The patient was placed in the prone position under general anesthesia and cervical alignment was maintained in a neutral position using a skull clamp. A midline subperiosteal exposure of the C1 and C2 posterior elements was performed. C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screws were unilaterally placed using standard anatomic landmarks under fluoroscopic guidance. Subsequently, the ipsilateral C2 laminar screw was inserted. Finally, the C1 laminar screw was placed. A 3.0-mm high-speed bur was used to make an entry point over the posterior tubercle of the C1 posterior arch. The probe was inserted gradually without fluoroscopic guidance through the medullary core to a depth determined based on the preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. The hole was tapped using a 3.5-mm tap, and a 3.5-mm multiaxial screw of the same size was inserted into the C1 laminae because the dorsal cortex of the C1 lamina is usually thin and easy to destroy during screw insertion. After the rod was secured to the screw heads, an autologous iliac bone graft was placed over the decorticated C1 arch and C2 lamina. Postoperatively, the patients were immobilized using a hard cervical orthosis for 3 months.

Using unilateral C1 and C2 laminar screws in combination with ipsilateral C1 and C2 pedicle screws, this technique provides immediate stability and can minimize the risk of contralateral VA injury (Fig. 1).

C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle or pars screw fixation, first reported by Goel and Laheri [4] and later popularized by Harms and Melcher [5], is now considered as one of the most robust constructs for fixation of the atlantoaxial joint. However, the implantation of lateral mass screws, pedicle screws, or both is also technically demanding because of the complicated anatomy in the vicinity of the atlas and axis, and the potential risk of catastrophic VA injury during surgery. Although its rate of incidence is extremely low, VA injury could cause serious consequences including uncontrollable bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, cerebral ischemia, and death [78].

Wright [9] proposed the use of C2 laminar screws, which was shown in a biomechanical study to provide stability equivalent to the use of C2 pedicle or pars screws [10]. Furthermore, C2 laminar screws have been shown to reduce the risk of VA injury as compared with C2 pedicle screws or pars screws. In fact, Parker et al. [11] noted that laminar screws have a significantly smaller risk of radiographic breach than do C2 pedicle screws. Currently, laminar screws are also used for fixation of the subaxial cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine [121314]. However, reports describing the use of laminar screws in the atlas are limited (Table 1). Donnellan et al. [15] described three successful cases in which bilateral C1 laminar screws were used for bony abnormality. Subsequently, Baaj and Vrionis [16] and Yew et al. [17] also reported the successful use of unilateral or bilateral C1 laminar screws.

To our knowledge, this report is the first to use C1 laminar screws for patients with a persistent first intersegmental artery or a unilateral VA occlusion. We also indicated the use of a C2 laminar screw in combination with a C1 laminar screw to further minimize the risk of VA injury. Although, Yeom et al. [18] reported that routine insertion of C1 lateral mass screws was feasible even in patients with a persistent first intersegmental artery, this technique still carries the risk of troublesome bleeding from the venous plexus [19], occipital neuralgia [20], and VA injury. Another strategy around this anatomy is the use of a transarticular screw, whereas the retrospective study demonstrated that—including both known and suspected cases—the risk of VA injury was 4.1% per patient or 2.2% per screw inserted [6]. However, insertion of a C1 laminar screw is straightforward and technically easier than insertion of lateral mass screws or transarticular screws without fluoroscopic guidance.

Recently, Jin et al. [21] described the results of biomechanical tests and anatomical measurements for the C1 laminar screw [22]. One study concluded that a combination of unilateral C1 and C2 laminar screws with ipsilateral C1 and C2 pedicle screws provides the same degree of immediate stability as does bilateral C1 and C2 pedicle screw fixation [22]. However, another study comparing a C1 laminar screw with a C1 lateral mass screw concluded that there were no significant differences in stability for flexion–extension and axial rotation, except for lateral bending [21]. Therefore, the stability of the C1 laminar screw and that of the C1 lateral mass screw are not completely equal. An anatomical assessment indicated that 93.4% of the atlas posterior arch could hold 3.5 mm diameter screws [21]. Taken together with previous reports, these findings suggest that unilateral C1 and C2 laminar screw fixation could be an alternative salvage option for posterior atlantoaxial fixation, especially when the VA is anatomically anomalous or is injured on one side and thereby precludes safe placement of lateral mass screws or pedicle screws.

This technique would be unsuitable for patients with an aplastic or hypoplastic C1 posterior arch, severe osteoporosis, or previous C1 laminectomy. It also carries the potential risk of damaging the dura and spinal cord; therefore, the accuracy of the screw trajectory must be ensured to avoid breaching the wall of the C1 posterior arch.

In conclusion, the combined use of C1 and C2 laminar screws is a straight forward technique that allows for good fixation of the atlantoaxial joint with a lower risk of VA injury. As such, it is an efficient alternative option for patients with congenital or traumatic anomalies in the VA.