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Harvesting the intact cadaveric cervical spine (C0-Th1).

STUDY DESIGN
Technical report on harvesting method for human cadaveric cervical spine.


OBJECTIVES
Description of a new method for harvesting the intact cervical spine during routine autopsies, including the atlanto-occipital and cervico-thoracic joints, without visible disfigurement above the suprasternal notch.


SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Despite the need for cervical spine specimens, there are only few articles describing procedures for harvesting an intact cervical spine. Presently available techniques either do not preserve the atlanto-occipital joint or leave visible disfigurement.


METHODS
The body was placed in a prone position with the head flexed, and a posterior midline incision was performed. The spine was separated from surrounding tissue, then the caudal end was cut off through the Th1/Th2 disc space. A circular craniotomy provided access to the cranial base. A square window surrounding the foramen magnum was cut at the cranial base (through the sella turcica, the internal occipital protuberance, and 5 cm parasagittal on either side), and the entire cervical spine extracted through the posterior incision. The defect was reconstructed using wood and plaster materials.


RESULTS
Eighteen specimens were harvested to date using this method. The average time of harvesting the cervical spine was less than 30 minutes. Reconstruction using wood and plaster resulted in a nearly normal appearance of the neck.


CONCLUSIONS
Using this technique, the nuchal ligament providing stability to the cervical spine can be preserved. The suggested method was found simple, efficient, and reproducible for harvesting the intact cervical spine, including the atlanto-occipital and cervico-thoracic joints, from any routine autopsy.