Jia Liu1, Shengfa Li2, Ke Huang1, Xianzhe Lu1, Yu Shi1, Kegong Xie3, Yujing Tang4. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No. 98 Urban and Rural Road, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, People's Republic of China. 2. Department of Orthopaedics, Huizhou First People's Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. 3. Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No. 98 Urban and Rural Road, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, People's Republic of China. 13707766465@163.com. 4. Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, No. 98 Urban and Rural Road, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, People's Republic of China. tangyujin196709@l63.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Disorders of the upper thoracic spine can lead to serious disability and morbidity. However, operating on the upper thoracic vertebrae T2-T5 remains challenging because of the anatomical features of the thoracic spine. We describe a novel anterolateral upper thoracic approach, which is safe and reproducible and allows direct access to the upper thoracic spine from T2 to T6 inclusive, obviating the risk of damaging complex anatomical structures inherent in the anterior trans-sternal approach. METHODS: Three patients with upper thoracic spinal-related spinal cord compression disease, presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy and upper back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed direct spinal cord compression due to upper thoracic vertebral destruction. In addition preoperative computed tomography also revealed vertebral erosion and collapse. The surgical management of the three patients involved decompression and reconstruction via the right infraaxillary thoracotomy approach, and fixation with a titanium mesh cage and an anterior plate in each. RESULTS: Clinical outcome measures including pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters were assessed. There were no complications associated with this technique. The back pain and neural function gradually improved, and plate placement was achieved in all patients. None of the patients experienced clinical symptoms or screw loosening or breakage in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The technique described is a safe and novel right infraaxillary thoracotomy approach to provide direct access from vertebral bodies T2-T6 and to provide adequate room for upper thoracic vertebral decompression and fusion surgery. However, a suitable fixation implant should be designed. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
PURPOSE: Disorders of the upper thoracic spine can lead to serious disability and morbidity. However, operating on the upper thoracic vertebrae T2-T5 remains challenging because of the anatomical features of the thoracic spine. We describe a novel anterolateral upper thoracic approach, which is safe and reproducible and allows direct access to the upper thoracic spine from T2 to T6 inclusive, obviating the risk of damaging complex anatomical structures inherent in the anterior trans-sternal approach. METHODS: Three patients with upper thoracic spinal-related spinal cord compression disease, presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy and upper back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed direct spinal cord compression due to upper thoracic vertebral destruction. In addition preoperative computed tomography also revealed vertebral erosion and collapse. The surgical management of the three patients involved decompression and reconstruction via the right infraaxillary thoracotomy approach, and fixation with a titanium mesh cage and an anterior plate in each. RESULTS: Clinical outcome measures including pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters were assessed. There were no complications associated with this technique. The back pain and neural function gradually improved, and plate placement was achieved in all patients. None of the patients experienced clinical symptoms or screw loosening or breakage in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The technique described is a safe and novel right infraaxillary thoracotomy approach to provide direct access from vertebral bodies T2-T6 and to provide adequate room for upper thoracic vertebral decompression and fusion surgery. However, a suitable fixation implant should be designed. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Authors: Ramazan Alper Kaya; Osman Nuri Türkmenoğlu; Omer Nadir Koç; Haci Ali Genç; Halit Cavuşoğlu; Ibrahim Mustafa Ziyal; Yunus Aydin Journal: Surg Neurol Date: 2006-05
Authors: H Bozkus; N R Crawford; R H Chamberlain; T D Valenzuela; A Espinoza; Z Yüksel; C A Dickman Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2005-10-05 Impact factor: 4.584