A modified posterolateral transpedicular approach to thoracolumbar corpectomy with nerve preservation and bilateral cage reconstruction.
This retrospective study investigated the early results of a single-stage posterolateral transpedicular corpectomy and fusion in the thoracolumbar spine. A modified technique with nerve preservation and bilateral expandable cage implantation is described. Four patients with vertebral metastasis and one patient with vertebral osteomyelitis were included in this series. Two patients underwent two level corpectomies, whereas three patients underwent single level corpectomy. The mean follow-up was 3.3 months. No perioperative complication was encountered. Improvement in neurological status was observed in patients with preoperative neurological deficits. Vertebral height and sagittal and coronal deformity were corrected using the current technique. Bilateral cage implantation offers an additional advantage of asymmetrical reconstruction of the ventral column in cases of hemicorpectomy. Single-stage posterolateral transpedicular corpectomy and fusion is a useful approach to treat ventral thoracolumbar pathologies.
Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia. Electronic address: michael.wong@mh.org.au.
Michael L
ML
Wong
Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia.
Hui C
HC
Lau
Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia.
Andrew H
AH
Kaye
D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
Expandable cage; Posterolateral approach; Thoracolumbar corpectomy