Transoral resection of odontoid process fragment in a rheumatoid patient using Coblation electrosurgery.

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.

A new technique is described for the removal of ligaments and soft tissue during a transoral resection of the odontoid process in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The technique employed is Coblation, a form of electrosurgery that operates at lower temperatures than conventional electrosurgical technique and, therefore, produces less collateral damage.

PMID: 16147593 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]