ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the anatomic relationship between the upper thoracic vertebrae and adjacent structures in anterior approach of upper thoracic spine, an anatomy study was conducted and its clinical significance was evaluated. Methods Twenty upper thoracic spine specimens of adult human cadaver were exposed, measured and studied for their anatomic landmarks. The origin, course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, thoracic duct and blood vessels and their relationship were measured and analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of different surgical approaches exposing the upper thoracic vertebrae were also evaluated and compared. Results The right recurrent laryngeal nerve reaches the tracheo-esophageal groove at the level of C6-7 disc in 55% of the specimens and derives from vagus nerve at the level of T1,2. The thoracic duct empties into the systemic venous system from T1 to T1-2 disc space in 75% of the specimens and among them, more than 50% up to T1 level. The left brachiocephalic vein is at T3 in 55% of the specimens; and the aortic arch is at T3-4 disc in 80% of the specimens. The anterior aspect of T3 can be easily exposed through a modified anterior approach to the upper thoracic vertebrae in only 45% of the specimens(9), compared with outside space of the brachiocephalic trunk(between the right brachiocephalic vein and the brachiocephalic trunk and left brachiocephalic vein) in 95% of the specimens (19). Conclusion Surgical approach through outside space of the brachiocephalic trunk is simple and adequate to expose the T3,4 vertebra body and can get more exposed space of 0.5-1 of the vertebra body than through inner space of the brachiocephalic trunk and can be utilized selectively during anterior upper thoracic spine surgery. Attention should be paid to avoid injury of vagus nerve in the middle, right recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right and thoracic duct on the left, respectively.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the procedure of anterior thoracic corpectomy and the surgical outcomes of upper thoracic spine tumors by the right space of the ascending aorta and the right space of the brachiocephalic artery. Methods 12 patients underwent surgery between June 2000 and January 2006. There were 8 cases of primary tumors and 4 metastatic carcinomas, 4 cases of tumor in T3 and 6 cases in T4 and 3 cases in T3,4. The anterior modified transmanubrium approach was made. After the exposure of the tumor through the right space of the ascending aorta and the right space of the brachiocephalic artery, the involved vertebral body and contiguous discs were resected, the spinal cord was decompressed. Curettage was performed in 3 cases for other tumors, en bloc vertebrectomies were performed. As a body replacement, in case of benign disease autogenous bone graft harvested from the dorsal iliac crest was used, and for malignant bone tumors using bone cement. To secure the strut, anterior cervical titanium alloy plates were used until T5. Neurological status was graded according to Frankel grading system. Results 6 cases of bradycardia and hypotension or increasing airway resistance occurred intraoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 28.6 months (range 4-66 months). 3 patients with autogenous bone graft had bone union 6 months postoperatively. According to Frankel grading system, 1 patient improved from grade A preoperation to B postoperation, while another patient from B to C; of the 5 cases with grade C preoperation, 4 patients improved to D postoperation and 1 patient to E; 4 patients improved from D to E; 1 patient with grade E left unchanged. 3 patients died from general metastasis and failure 10-20 months postoperatively. One patient with giant cell tumor recurred 10 months postoperatively. Conclusion Clear exposure and satisfactory outcome can be obtained by the use of the right space of the ascending aorta and the right space of the brachiocephalic artery; it is especially indicated to the upper thoracic spine T3 and T4 tumors, where the spinal compression is located anteriorly.