title: Lateral Thoracic Osteoplastic Rib-Sparing Technique Used for Lateral Spine Surgery: Technical Note.
abstract: Of patients who have undergone lateral approaches to the thoracic spine, surgical site postoperative pain appears to be greater among those who have undergone transection and removal of a rib segment than those who have not. Therefore, techniques that conserve anatomical position and minimize tissue disruption would theoretically result in less pain and a quicker recovery. Herein, we describe a rib-sparing osteoplastic technique used when rib segments need to be displaced in order to create an unobscured corridor to the operative target. Our approach minimizes soft tissue disruption and restores the anatomical function of the rib. Based on our experience, these patients report less pain, mobilize earlier, and are discharged sooner than those who have had rib segments sacrificed as part of a lateral approach to the spine.
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation ; Neurological Surgery, Wayne State University.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moisi
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute ; Department of Trauma Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fisahn
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Seattle Science Foundation.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: Jeni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Seattle Science Foundation.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgey, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas.
authors.forename: Noojan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanscom
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Complex Spine, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
keywords: lateral interbody fusion; postoperative rib pain; rib preservation; rib sparing; thoracic corpectomy; thoracic lateral interbody fusion