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A technical case report on use of tubular retractors for anterior cervical spine surgery
Arvind G Kulkarni1, Ankit Patel2, N V Ankith2
1Department of Orthopedics and Spine Surgery, Mumbai Spine Scoliosis and Disc Replacement Center, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Center, Room No-206, Marine Lines, Mumbai, 400002, India. drarvindspines@gmail.com.
Purpose:
The authors put-forth this technical report to establish the feasibility of performing an anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a minimally invasive approach with tubular retractors.
Methods:
First case: cervical spondylotic myelopathy secondary to a large postero-inferiorly migrated disc treated with corpectomy and reconstruction with a mesh cage and locking plate. Second case: cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy treated with a two-level ACDF. Both cases were operated with minimally invasive approach with tubular retractor using a single incision. Technical aspects and clinical outcomes have been reported.
Results:
No intra or post-operative complications were encountered. Intra-operative blood loss was negligible. The patients had a cosmetic scar on healing. Standard procedure of placement of tubular retractors is sufficient for adequate surgical exposure with minimal invasiveness.
Conclusion:
Minimally invasive approach to anterior cervical spine with tubular retractors is feasible. This is the first report on use of minimally invasive approach for ACCF and two-level ACDF.
