A clivus plate fixation for reconstruction of ventral defect of the craniovertebral junction: a novel fixation device for craniovertebral instability

摘要

A fabricated mesh cage and/or posterior occipitocervical instrumentation alone has been used for reconstruction of ventral defect of the upper cervical spine. However, using a trimmed mesh cage it was hard to achieve optimal clival screw purchase and it migrated or broke. A specific instrumentation at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) should incorporate the morphology of the CVJ and biomechanical validation. The purpose of the present study was to develop an innovative clivus plate integrated with the clinical anatomy of CVJ and to evaluate the stability of the clivus plate fixation (CPF), stand-alone or combined with a posterior occipitocervical fixation (POCF).