Thoracolumbar

Options

 

Anterior

- thoracotomy

- thoracoabdominal

- abdominal

 

Posterior

 

Anterior Approaches

 

C2 - T2

- anterior cervical approach

- may have to split manubrium / sternotomy for lowest levels

 

T3 - T7

- thoracotomy

- patient on side left side up to avoid veins

- always easier to mobilise aorta

- scapular in the way of the ribs

- release scapula and lift away from ribs

- go through bed of appropriate rib

- usually rib 2 above vertebra

- have to deflate lung with double lumen ETT

- divide segmental artery away from foramen

- identify discs (hills) and vertebral bodies (valleys)

 

T7 - T12

- thoracotomy

- patient on side

- bed of rib 2 above vertebra

- can usually push lung out of way without deflation

 

T12 - L1

- thoracoabdominal

- patient on side

- through bed of 10th rib

- diaphragm attaches at T12/L1 and 12th rib

- must take down diaphragm if need to instrument or cross T12/L1

 

L2 - L5

- anterolateral flank / retroperitoneal approach

- incision below 12th rib

- patient on side

 

L5/S1

- anterior / transabdominal approach

- pelvis blocks flank approach

 

Retroperitoneal Approach L2 - L4

 

Position

- patient left side up 45o

- surgeon stands on right

 

Technique

 

Incision

- in line with 12th rib and towards pubic symphysis

 

Approach

- split musculature / external and internal oblique / transversalis

- identify and preserve peritoneum / stay retroperitoneal

- dissection done with peanuts

- ureter and genitofemoral nerve on psoas / reflect medially

- stay anterior to psoas to preserve nerve roots

- symphathetic chain medial to psoas

- aorta and IVC on vertebral bodies

- tie off segmental arteries

- gently reflect vessels

 

Transabdominal Approach L4 - S1

 

Position

- patient supine

 

Technique

 

Paramedian incision

- stand on right / approach from left

- midway between umbilicus and symphysis

- through skin and subcutaneous fat

- divide anterior rectus sheath (external and internal oblique)

- separate left rectus muscle from posterior rectus sheath

- posterior rectus sheath is deficient by L4/5, ending in semilunar membrane

- divide posterior rectus sheath (transversalis / internal oblique), staying outside peritoneum

- divide peritoneum

- mobilise bowel

 

Aorta bifurcates at L4/5

- common iliac artery and vein on medial psoas

- identify sacral promontory between

- divide posterior peritoneum in midline distal to bifurcation

- superior hypogastric plexus on common iliac vein / sympathetic

- injury causes retrograde ejaculation

 

L4/5

- reflect artery and vein medially

- have to divide and ligate iliolumbar vein

 

L5/S1

 

Access between common iliac vessels

- must divide median sacral vein