Abstract:

BACKGROUND: A simple anterior corpectomy or discectomy, or simple posterior open canal to expand a single trip cannot fully complete three-column spinal cord decompression and spinal stabilization in patients with degenerative cervical stenosis.
OBJECTIVE: To study the biomechanical stability of the lower cervical spine inter-fixation by anterior approach combined with posterior srticular screws. 
METHODS: Ten cervical spine specimens were gained from cadavers. Every specimen was managed via two methods sequentially: The first method was by posterior C3-C7 open-door laminoplasty combined with posterior articular screw fixation and by anterior C5 subtotal corpectomy with bone granule graft in the titanium mesh and ORION fixation (test group); The second method was by posterior C3-C7 open-door laminoplasty and by anterior C5 subtotal corpectomy with bone granule graft in the titanium mesh and ORION fixation (control group).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, displacement angles of flexion, extension, left/right lateroflexion left/right rotation in the test group were lower (P < 0.001). The findings indicated that: ①The lower spine gained the excellent biomechanical stability in flexion, extension, lateroflexion and rotation via the treatment of anterior fixation combined posterior articular screw fixation. ②The treatment of anterior fixation combined with posterior articular screw fixation provided significant biomechanical stability to the lower cervical spine in flexion position.