Novelties for increased safety in cranio-vertebral surgery: a review

The cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) was formerly considered a surgical no man's land due to its complex anatomical and biomechanical features. Surgical approaches and hardware instrumentation have had to be tailored in order to achieve successful outcomes. Nowadays, thanks to the ongoing development of new technologies and surgical techniques, CVJ surgery has come to be widely performed in many spine centers. Accordingly, there is a drive to explore novel solutions and technological nuances that make CVJ surgery safer, faster, and more precise. Improved outcome in CVJ surgery has been achieved thanks to increased safety allowing for reduction in complication rates. The Authors present the latest technological advancements in CVJ surgery in terms of imaging, biomaterials, navigation, robotics, customized implants, 3D-printed technology, video-assisted approaches and neuromonitoring.

Automated summary

CVJ surgery, once considered a challenging area, has now become widely performed in spine centers due to advancements in technologies and techniques. There is a focus on developing safer, faster, and more precise solutions for CVJ surgery, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced complications. The Authors discuss the latest technological advancements, including imaging, biomaterials, navigation, robotics, customized implants, 3D-printed technology, video-assisted approaches, and neuromonitoring.