Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Posterior cervical stabilization and fusion with or without decompression is a commonly performed procedure for fracture and/or dislocation of the cervical spine, to stop the progression of spinal deformity, or to decompress the spinal cord and/or nerve roots (tumors, infections, deformity, and stenosis). While fracture repair and nerve root decompressions are usually limited to one or two levels, decompression of the spinal canal for tumors, infections and cervical spinal stenosis can be multilevel procedures (Fig. 29.1)