[Thoracophrenotomy. An economical approach of the thoracolumbar spine]

Enlarging the thoracophrenic approach by a lumbotomy to reach the lower part of the dorsal spine and the upper part of the lumbar spine is not necessary every times. A thoracophrenotomy--if necessary extended in a classical TPL--allows the treatment of most of the kyphosis or thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis from T9 to L3. This limited approach was used 13 times.