Endoscopic technique for single-stage anterior decompression and anterior fusion by transcervical approach in atlantoaxial dislocation.

Although posterior approaches are being used frequently in most atlantoaxial dislocations (AAD), anterior decompression is also required in some patients in whom the C1-2 dislocation is not properly reduced by the posterior approach. Transnasal and transoral approaches need an additional posterior approach to perform atlantoaxial fusion. They also have an added risk of infection. The endoscopic transcervical approach can be used for single-stage cervical decompression and stabilization that includes an odontoidectomy and anterior fusion. It can be used both in reducible and irreducible AAD. Patients with a high basilar invasion, traumatic or other lesions involving the C1 or C2 facet joint, reducible AAD with Chiari malformation, and patients with a large mandible or a mandible angle lying below the C3 level even after the maximum neck extension, should not be subjected to this procedure. Preoperative X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan with angiogram, and magnetic resonance imaging of the craniovertebral region should be done to assess the dislocation. The early results of an endoscopic transcervical approach were found to be safe and effective for decompression and fusion in our experience. There was no permanent complication. The procedure avoids a two-stage surgery; thus, odontoidectomy, if needed, can be performed in addition to the C1-2 fusion in a single stage.