title: [Mini-open approaches in anterior lumbar spine surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anterior spine approach known as «mini-open» was introduced a few years ago for the surgical treatment of spine diseases. This approach allows the anterior, body and intervertebral disc structures to be exposed, as well as the anterior compression of the dural sac and the reconstruction and/or stabilisation of the levels of interest with an appropriate system. In the present article we present our experience in mini-open anterior spine surgery (MOASS) approach in the treatment of lumbar spine diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed 74 anterior spine approaches using open surgery between the period January 2004 and July 2011. In 38 cases we used the MOASS technique at different levels: thoracic, lumbar, and infraumbilical extraperitoneal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no surgical or post-operative deaths, or further neurological deficits arising from the surgical procedure in any of the techniques (classic versus MOASS). The few complications were corrected with the appropriate treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the MOASS technique we have performed corrective surgery on spine injuries that could affect the thoracic spinal column, with similar results to those obtained using the classic approach and with obvious advantages.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital Universitario de La Ribera, Alcira, España. jgalbis@hospital-ribera.com
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galbis
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piquer
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Esturi
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Llacer
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riesgo
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Estors
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mariner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*