Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traumatic fractures of the cervical spine pose significant challenges in management, particularly in young patients, where preserving mobility is crucial. PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: A 30-year-old woman presented with a C3 lateral mass and pedicle fracture following a motor vehicle collision. Initial conservative management with a rigid cervical collar for three months failed to reduce the diastasis, and the debilitating neck pain worsened. Preoperative imaging confirmed fracture instability without spinal cord compression. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Preoperative screw trajectory planning was conducted with the My Spine MC system (Medacta), and fine-tuning was achieved on a 3D-printed model of the vertebra. A posterior midline approach was employed to expose the C3 vertebra, and a Herbert screw was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Imaging at three months demonstrated significant fracture reduction and early bone fusion. The patient achieved substantial improvement in functional mobility without complications. CONCLUSION: Herbert screw fixation holds potential as a less-invasive alternative to conventional posterior stabilization for selected cervical fractures. This technical note provides the reader with the required information to support surgical planning and execution.