title: The Role of a Miniopen Thoracoscopic-assisted Approach in the Management of Burst Fractures Involving the Thoracolumbar Junction.
abstract: Thoracoscopic spinal surgery is a minimally invasive open endoscopic approach to the anterior thoracolumbar spine for decompression and stabilization. It offers an alternative to open thoracotomy for thoracolumbar burst fractures, anterior spinal cord decompression, and spinal reconstruction with interbody and anterolateral plate instrumentation for restoration of biomechanical stability and alignment. Posterior instrumentation may not sufficiently stabilize a significantly disrupted anterior load-bearing spinal column, and the high access morbidity of open procedures is of significant concern. The adoption by spine surgeons of minimally invasive thoracoscopic techniques used by thoracic surgeons has expanded to include treatment of most anterior thoracolumbar disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, 175 N. Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
authors.forename: Ricky Raj S
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, 175 N. Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Electronic address: neuropub@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Meic H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Burst fractures; Expandable cages; Minimally invasive surgery; Thoracoscopic surgery; Thoracotomy; Vertebrectomy