Anterior thoracic corpectomy for upper thoracic spine T_3,T_4 tumors by the right space of the ascending aorta and the right space of the brachiocephalic artery / 中华骨科杂志

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.