| Objectives To investigate the mechanical properties of bilateral atlantoaxial transarticular screws and atlas laminar hooks instrumentation with finite element method. Methods The ligamentous, nonlinear, three-dimensional finite element models of normal upper cervical spine (C0-C3) and type II odontoid fracture were developed and validated. The destabilized models with the new instrumentation and combinations of Magerl and Brooks technique were evaluated for quasistatic loading. Results The normal and destabilized finite element models correlated well with experimental data for all load cases. The finite element predicted that the maximum von Mises stress was in the region in which screws penetrated the atlantoaxial articular facet. Both instruments resulted in sufficient stability, but the stress of transarticular screws in the novel fixation system was less. Conclusions The bilateral atlantoaxial transarticular screws and atlas laminar hooks instrumentation is useful and effective for atlantoaxial arthrodesis. |
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