Anterolateral approach to the lower cervical spine: a step-by-step description.
The anterolateral approach is a popular and safe method of exposing the lower cervical spine (levels C3 to T1) for management of cervical spine disease. We present a description of the technique we use in conducting the procedure, a review of the literature, and a retrospective chart review of 30 consecutive patients who underwent cervical spine exposure via a left anterolateral approach. All patients had an uneventful perioperative course, and the two patients who experienced postprocedure symptoms recovered completely within 1 month without treatment.
Department of Otolaryngology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Alexander
A
Sorin
Erich P
EP
Voigt
Sean E
SE
McCance
Anthony M
AM
Rossi
Alexa S
AS
Lessow
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome