STUDY DESIGN: A report of three cases of thoracolumbar vertebral collapse treated with image-guided anterior corpectomy. OBJECTIVES: To document the surgical technique and the usefulness of image-guided anterior corpectomy for thoracolumbar vertebral collapse. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Computer-assisted navigation systems can provide accurate three-dimensional surgical information intraoperatively. However, there is no clinical report regarding the application and usefulness of the computer-assisted navigation system for anterior thoracolumbar corpectomy. METHODS: After exposure of anterior and lateral aspects of the vertebral bodies through the transpleural approach, a reference frame was fixed to the thoracolumbar spinous process. Then thoracolumbar corpectomy and decompression were carried out under computer assistance. RESULTS: The tip of the standard probe and the angled rongeur could be monitored on three-dimensional images during surgery, and the retropulsed fragments within the spinal canal could be safely and completely removed under computer assistance. CONCLUSION: This image-guided procedure would aid surgeons in the complete and safe decompression of thoracolumbar injury.
STUDY DESIGN: A report of three cases of thoracolumbar vertebral collapse treated with image-guided anterior corpectomy. OBJECTIVES: To document the surgical technique and the usefulness of image-guided anterior corpectomy for thoracolumbar vertebral collapse. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Computer-assisted navigation systems can provide accurate three-dimensional surgical information intraoperatively. However, there is no clinical report regarding the application and usefulness of the computer-assisted navigation system for anterior thoracolumbar corpectomy. METHODS: After exposure of anterior and lateral aspects of the vertebral bodies through the transpleural approach, a reference frame was fixed to the thoracolumbar spinous process. Then thoracolumbar corpectomy and decompression were carried out under computer assistance. RESULTS: The tip of the standard probe and the angled rongeur could be monitored on three-dimensional images during surgery, and the retropulsed fragments within the spinal canal could be safely and completely removed under computer assistance. CONCLUSION: This image-guided procedure would aid surgeons in the complete and safe decompression of thoracolumbar injury.