title: Minimally invasive ventral spondylodesis for thoracolumbar fracture treatment: surgical technique and first clinical outcome.
abstract: A new instrumentation system for ventral stabilization of the spine that can be used for an endoscopic and minimally invasive approach was developed. We describe the implantation technique and report on the first clinical results. This prospective study covers the first 45 patients to undergo this new technique since it was introduced in 1999. In all patients the operation was successfully performed in a completely minimally invasive procedure. Mono- and bisegmental stabilization was performed mainly at the thoracolumbar junction after initial posterior instrumentation in most cases. Lesions varied from fresh/old fractures to metastases (T5-L3). Pre- and postoperative follow-up included clinical examination and radiological visualization via X-ray and computed tomographic scan. Our experience with this minimally invasive procedure demonstrated the feasibility of the method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm, Steinhövelstrasse 9, 89075 Ulm, Germany. markus.schultheiss@medizin.uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schultheiss
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kinzl
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Claes
authors.forename: Hans-Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wilke
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hartwig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000592:standards*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome