Biomechanical comparison of a novel C1 posterior U-construct with four other techniques in a C1-C2 fixation model

Background: Compare the biomechanical stability of a novel "U" posterior cervical fixation construct to four other posterior cervical atlantoaxial fixation constructs. Methods: Eight fresh frozen human cadaver spines were tested after a simulated odontoid fracture, and following stabilization with each construct. Results: All constructs significantly decreased flexion-extension and axial rotation compared to the destabilized spine. The U construct provided significantly more axial stability than the Brooks wire technique. Conclusion: The novel U construct demonstrated comparable biomechanical stability to the existing constructs in all three planes of motion with the exception of axial rotation, in which it was inferior to TAS.