POSTERIOR SPINAL FIXATION WITH COLINEAR FACET SCREW

摘要

A three element spinal fixation system for implantation from a posterior lateral incision. The first element in the form of a translaminar cannula is adapted to be implanted along a longitudinal axis of a lamina of a vertebra. A bracket is provided as a second element with a first end removably secured to the translaminar cannula and the second end secured to vertebrainferior to an adjacent vertebra in which the translaminar cannula is implanted. The translaminar cannula has a hollow central bore which receives a third element in the form of a translaminar facet screw. The translaminar facet screw is sufficiently long to be able to pass through the central bore and out of the translaminar cannula, passing through the facet joint to fix the two vertebra at the facet joint. Both contralateral and ipsilateral fixation are thus provided with all three elements implanted from a single ipsilateral incision.