Clinical study of a new approach to thoracolumbar surgery

OBJECTIVE: The conventional approaches for treatment of thoracolumbar diseases require extensive surgical exposure, often leading to postoperative pain and morbidity. Thoracoscopic-assisted surgery in these regions usually requires an extended recovery period due to the placement of drainage. We developed an innovative retroperitoneal-extrapleural approach to thoracolumbar involvement by an extra-diaphragmatic technique using dedicated instruments. Neither incision nor reconstruction of the diaphragm was necessary. Exposure to the lateral part of the thoracolumbar vertebrae could be achieved without crus resection. This study is aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of this new surgical procedure. METHODS: A total of 9 cases (5 cases of thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation, 1 each of spinal infection, tumor, thoracolumbar scoliosis and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament) were subjected to the study. The average age of the patients was 52.3 years. The results were compared with the control group consisting of thoracoscopic surgery subgroup (5 patients, mean age 52.1 years) and conventional surgery subgroup (12 patients, mean age 61.3 years). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the average period of bed confinement and mean intra- and postoperative blood loss decreased significantly. Pulmonary complications were avoided in all cases. The surgical time was shortened, postoperative pain was reduced, and early postoperative ambulation became possible. CONCLUSION: The diaphragm-preserving retroperitoneal-extrapleural approach that we developed is a valid minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of thoracolumbar diseases.