The anterior endoscopic transcervical approach: a cadaveric study on anatomical challenges and surgical limitations in odontoidectomy

AETCA offers notable benefits, such as reduced risk of postoperative infections, shorter hospitalization, and decreased morbidity and healthcare expenditure. The study underscores the importance of technical expertise and enhanced instrumentation in achieving successful outcomes, particularly for complete odontoid removal while preserving adjacent anatomy. AETCA emerges as a viable and safer alternative for odontoidectomy, enhancing procedural efficiency. These findings contribute to the understanding of anatomical and technical factors relevant to the approach, supporting its clinical adoption and potentially shortening the learning curve.