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Prone Lateral Minimally Invasive Retropleural Corpectomy Using a Rotatable Radiolucent Jackson Table
Published on: July 3, 2025
Multi-level corpectomies and reconstruction via a single posterolateral approach.
Ryan P Brennan1, Thomas J Altstadt, Richard B Rodgers
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 545 Barnhill Drive, 139 Emerson Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5124, USA.
Summary
A single posterolateral approach for multi-level corpectomies offers successful decompression and stabilization for ventral spinal cord compression. This minimally invasive technique improves patient neurological function, reducing traditional surgical risks.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Ventral spinal canal compression often requires extensive anterior or combined anterior-posterior approaches.
- These traditional methods are associated with significant patient morbidity.
- Alternative, less invasive surgical techniques are needed for multi-level ventral spinal cord compression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single posterolateral approach for multi-level corpectomies.
- To assess neurological outcomes and construct integrity following this approach.
- To determine if this technique can achieve symptomatic improvement in select patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of six consecutive patients undergoing multi-level corpectomies via a single posterolateral approach.
- Reconstruction and stabilization using an expandable cage and posterior fixation.
- Analysis of pre-operative and post-operative neurologic function and construct integrity.
Main Results:
- All six patients achieved successful decompression and stabilization with no hardware complications.
- Three peri-operative complications occurred: pleural effusion, transient leg paresis, and wound infection.
- All patients demonstrated improvement or stabilization of neurological function at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- A single posterolateral approach for multi-level corpectomies is a viable option for treating ventral spinal cord compression.
- This technique can lead to symptomatic improvement and successful stabilization.
- It potentially offers a lower morbidity alternative to traditional anterior or combined approaches.
