Prone Lateral Minimally Invasive Retropleural Corpectomy Using a Rotatable Radiolucent Jackson Table

Area of Science:

• Spine Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Techniques
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Traditional spinal surgery often requires multiple positions and re-draping, increasing operative time and risks.
• Minimally invasive retropleural approaches offer advantages over transthoracic approaches by avoiding lung collapse and diaphragmatic manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel prone lateral single-position technique for minimally invasive corpectomy.
• To evaluate the feasibility and benefits of this approach for thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal lesions.

Main Methods:

• A rotatable Jackson table is used to position the patient prone, rotated 30° laterally.
• A retropleural approach is utilized for corpectomy between T7-L1, with optional pedicle removal for dural decompression.
• Simultaneous or sequential percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is performed.

Main Results:

• The prone lateral approach allows simultaneous access to anterior and posterior spinal elements.
• This technique facilitates improved lordotic alignment and avoids the need for re-draping.
• Minimally invasive retropleural corpectomy is effective for anterior spinal lesions without compromising posterior structures.

Conclusions:

• The prone lateral minimally invasive retropleural corpectomy is a versatile technique for anterior thoracic and thoracolumbar pathologies.
• It offers advantages in terms of surgical efficiency, patient positioning, and potentially reduced complications.
• This approach is particularly beneficial for complex spinal reconstructions requiring anterior column access.