Anterior management of C2 fractures using miniplate fixation: outcome, function and quality of life in a case series of 15 patients.

In patients with appropriate indications, anterior fixation with miniplates alone or additionally is a further useful treatment option in the management of fractures at the junction of the dens with the vertebral body of C2. Since this type of treatment preserves motion at the C1-C2 motion segment after fracture healing and since an anterior approach is associated with less surgical trauma than posterior instrumentation, the technique presented here should be included in a discussion on (surgical) treatment options. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.