Posterior cervical fixation techniques have been proven to be an effective means of stabilization in the [[cervical spine]]. For most types of cervical instability, screw fixation techniques provide superior fixation to interspinous wiring, especially in the absence or deficiency of spinous processes and in multilevel instabilities
((Heller JG, Whitecloud TS. Post-laminectomy instability of the cervical spine: etiology and stabilization techniques. In: Frymoyer JW, editor. The adult spine: principles and practices. New York: Raven Press; 1991. pp. 1219–1240.))
((Kotani Y, Cunningham BW, Abumi K, McAfee PC. Biomechanical analysis of cervical stabilization systems. An assessment of transpedicular screw fixation in the cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1994;19:2529–2539.)).

To date, the lateral mass has been the preferred site of screw placements for posterior cervical fixation 
((Perin NI, Cooper PR. Posterior stabilization of the cervical spine using plates and screws. Surgery for spinal cord injuries. New York: Raven Press; 1993. pp. 13–22.)).

see [[Cervical lateral mass screw fixation]]