OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to study the relationship between bicortical screws and the internal carotid artery, in anatomical body parts, in screw fixation by the Harms and Melcher technique. METHODS: Our sample consisted of five cadavers. RESULTS: The results were as follows: the average shortest distance between the outlet of the screw and the medial edge of the right internal carotid artery was 11.55 mm (range 10.05 to 14.23 mm), while on the left side, the average was 7.50 mm (ranging from 2.75 to 12.42 mm). The average shortest distance between the posterior edge of the internal carotid artery and the anterior cortical C1 lateral mass on the right was 4.24 mm (ranging from 2.08 to 7.48 mm), while the left side, the average was 2.98 mm (ranging from 1.83 to 3.83 mm). CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with similar studies in the literature that emphasize the need for a careful assessment of images of anatomical position of the internal carotid artery prior to the use of bicortical screws in the C1 lateral mass by posterior access.
Spine; Cervical atlas; bone screws; Carotid artery, internal; Cadaver; Tomography
