[Minimally invasive posterior corpectomy of the lumbar spine with transpedicular fixation]

Oddział Neurochirurgii, Szpital Wojewódzki, Tarnów. amac@mp.pl

The authors present their experience in the minimally invasive posterior keyhole lumbar corpectomy with transpedicular stabilization. This technique involves the removal of the posterior part of the affected vertebral body with the pedicle screw fixation through four 2-3 cm long skin incisions on the back. Two cephalad skin incisions provide an approach for corpectomy and instrumentation of the upper pedicles of the construct. Two caudal skin incisions provide an approach for instrumentation of the lower pedicles of the construct. The minimum armamentarium requirement includes classic micro lumbar discectomy retractor set and intraoperative fluoroscopy. According to the authors' best knowledge this is the first minimally invasive posterior keyhole lumbar corpectomy ever reported in the literature (2002). This is also the first minimally invasive transpedicular fixation ever performed in Poland (2002). This technique was presented during EANS Congress (Lisbon, September 2003). Some reports have recently appeared in the literature on percutaneous pedicle screw fixation of the lumbar spine in non traumatic cases. A special instrumentarium system (Sextant by Medtronic) has been developed and used in this type of minimally invasive stabilization. Although this system has not been dedicated for spine fractures it is feasible in trauma cases. We have one case of L2 burst fracture fixed percutaneously with Sextant.

PMID: 15654676 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]