Thoracoscopic Approach
45 Thoracoscopic Approach Timothy D. Uschold and Steve W. Chang I. Key Points – Working angles and trajectories to the thoracic spine are comparable between the thoracoscopic and open anterolateral…
Lateral Extracavitary Approach
42 Lateral Extracavitary Approach Beejal Y. Amin and Muwaffak Abdulhak I. Key Points – The posterolateral approach allows for circumferential neural decompression under direct visualization with extrapleural/extravisceral dissection. – Single-stage…
Costotransversectomy
44 Costotransversectomy Dean B. Kostov and Adam S. Kanter I. Key Points – Conservative management of thoracic disc herniation with radiculopathy is the preferred primary management. – The presence or…
Transpedicular Approach
43 Transpedicular Approach Frank La Marca, Paul Park, and Juan M. Valdivia I. Key Points – Alternative posterior approach for anterior decompression avoids the morbidity associated with anterior (i.e., transthoracic,…
Thoracic Pedicle Technique
41 Thoracic Pedicle Technique Ryan J. Halpin and Tyler R. Koski I. Key Points – Transpedicular instrumentation allows for anterior and posterior column spinal fixation for a more rigid construct…
Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy
37 Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Matthias Setzer, Nam D. Tran, and Frank D. Vrionis I. Key Points – The posterior cervical foraminotomy approach (also referred to as laminoforaminotomy) allows nerve root…
Thoracic Spine
4 Thoracic Spine Ryan J. Halpin and Tyler R. Koski I. Key Points – The normal thoracic spine includes 12 rib-bearing vertebral segments; anatomical variations can have 11 or 13…
Anterior Cervical Discectomy
33 Anterior Cervical Discectomy Daniel C. Lu, Kevin T. Foley, and Praveen V. Mummaneni I. Key Points – Appreciation of the surgical anatomy of vital structures (carotid, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal…
Lumbar Foraminotomy (MIS)
50 Lumbar Foraminotomy (MIS) Ali A. Baaj and Juan S. Uribe I. Key Points – Removing more than one-third of the medial facet joint when performing a foraminotomy could lead…
Chiari I Decompression
27 Chiari I Decompression Mark S. Greenberg I. Key Points – Consistent feature of Chiari I: disruption of normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the foramen magnum. Most symptomatic cases…
