Dorsal stabilisation from occiput up to the upper thoracic spine

Looking for a screw-rod system for dorsal stabilisation from occiput up to the upper thoracic spine to offer your patients a procedure tailored to their needs?

The modular occipitocervical screw-rod system neon³ is used for surgical dorsal stabilisation, fixation, and correction of misalignment of the cervical spine in adult humans and includes the occiptocervical and the cervicothoracic transitions if necessary.

The system offers very high level of variability and allows for all common screw placement techniques.

The preparation and the screw insertion can also be carried out percutaneously using the provided trocar system.

In addition, the preparation of the surgical procedure can be carried out with the help of Brainlab navigation, for which the drill guide is fitted with a special adapter. The result is precise screw placement that is gentle on the soft tissue.

Furthermore, neon³ can be combined with the thoracolumbosacral screw-rod system uCentum, thus supporting a complete treatment for spinal procedures.

Occipito-cervical stabilisation

The occipito-cervical stabilisation is achieved by implanting plates in the occiput that are connected with rods and screws placed in C1/C2 as required by the patient.

Transpedicular instrumentation, cervical spine

In general, the entry point from C3 to C7 is just below the caudal facet joint of the cranial vertebra and far laterally. The convergence of the screws is 40 to 50° on average, but may deviate significantly in individual cases. The screw direction in C2 deviates somewhat with little convergence.

Transpedicular instrumentation, thoracic spine (to TH3)

Transpedicular instrumentation stabilises the thoracic spine by inserting screws into the spinal pedicle. In the upper and middle thoracic spine, the entry point is generally at the superior edge of the transverse process, at the deepest point of the concavity. The screw direction is slightly descending ventrally in relation to the end plate.

Lateral mass screws according to Magerl

The entry point is 1–2 mm medial and cranial of the centre of the lateral mass. The screw should be introduced with a lateral divergence of 20–30° and in parallel to the superior facet joint in the direction of the anterolateral boundary of the superior articular process. In this way, the longest possible screw can be used with low risk of injury to the neural and vascular structures.

Lateral mass screws according to An

The entry point of the screw is in the middle of the lateral mass. The screw should be introduced with a lateral divergence of 30° and a 15° incline.

C1 screw fixation according to Harms

For screw placement in the lateral mass in C1, the screw proceeds in the sagittal plane at a slight incline in relation to the joint space C1/C2 and at a right angle to the frontal plane. The entry point is below the posterior arch of the atlas where it transitions into the lateral mass C1.

Transarticular placement according to Magerl

The entry point for the transarticular screw fixation C1/C2 is on the straight, sagittal line that runs centrally through the isthmus to the inferior border of the caudal articular process C2, 2 mm cranial and lateral of the medial border. The screws can be placed using an Atlas claw.

Translaminar placement according to Wright 

The C2 translaminar screw placement with bilateral crossing screws is a rigid and technically simple fixation. The entry point is at the transition of the spinous process of C2 to the right lamina, close to the anterior boundary of the lamina of C2.