An anterior approach to the cervicothoracic junction of the spine (modified osteotomy of manubrium sterni and clavicle)

Standard anterior approaches to the cervicothoracic junction of the spine provide inadequate exposure. For this reason, various techniques of exposure are developed. One of these is Sundaresan's technique in which a part of the manubrium sterni and medial clavicle is resected. This technique provides good visibility and working area at the lesion level but causes a significant bony defect. We modified Sundaresan's technique and did not damage the sternoclavicular joint. After decompression and fusion was completed, the osteotomized segment was replanted. We performed this technique in a case of Pott's disease and had no problem with union at the osteotomy sites.