Lateral exposure of the cervicothoracic spine for anterior decompression and osteosynthesis

A lateral exposure of the cervicothoracic spine by an approach giving access to the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral bodies between C3-T10 is described. The approach of that region is obtained by the association of a cervicotomy and a standard thoracotomy with a costal flap situated at the place of the scapula. This approach was used for one patient with tumor invasion in the anterior part of the spinal canal on T1-T3; it allowed extensive resection of the three successive metastatic vertebral bodies and permitted stabilization of the spine.