Internal reduction established by occiput-C2 pedicle polyaxial screw stabilization in pediatric atlantoaxial rotatory fixation.

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation is an uncommon disorder of childhood, which can be treated conservatively when diagnosed early. Although spontaneous correction occasionally occurs, most of the patients usually benefit from collar or traction therapies. If there is no intervention or if all external therapeutic modalities fail, the deformity may become chronic and irreducible. In such rare cases, surgical correction and stabilization are needed to prevent future head and neck deformity or facial asymmetry. In this report we describe a novel surgical technique used in a pediatric case presenting with delayed type 2 atlantoaxial rotatory fixation, in whom all external reduction methods had failed. The patient's deformity was treated by occiput-C2 pedicle polyaxial screw stabilization. This technique is effective for reducing the atlantoaxial fixation in children. Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.