Unilateral facet fixation as a salvage procedure: Report of two cases with cervical primary bone tumors with extensive bone destruction

Abstract

We describe cases of two patients with primary cervical bone tumors that resulted in extensive destruction of bones of the region. In the first patient, the tumor and its growth resulted in the destruction of C3–C5 vertebral bodies and the unilateral destruction of facets and pedicles. In the second case, there was focal destruction of the body and odontoid process and unilateral pedicle and facet of C2. Tumor resection and spinal stabilization were the aims of the surgery. In both cases, unilateral fixation of facets was done. In the first patient, multi-segmental transarticular fixation by Camille's technique was done, and in the second patient, unilateral lateral mass plate and screw fixation was done by the Goel technique. Solid bone fusion of spinal segments was observed at more than a 2-year follow-up in both cases. Based on this experience, it appears that unilateral facetal fixation can provide firm stability and can be used when other more frequently and popularly used techniques are either not available or possible.