`Technical note concerning a case
`by E. BAULOT1, P. TROUILLOUD2, A. BERNARD3 and P. GRAMMONT1 (Dijon)
`1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (Prof. P. Grammont), Hôpital d’Enfants, F 21034 Dijon Cedex (offprints: E. Baulot).
`2. Anatomical Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, 10 bld Jeanne d’Arc, F 21000 Dijon Cedex.
`3. Department of Visceral and Thoracic Surgery (Prof. J.P. Favre), Hôpital de Bocage, F 21034 Dijon Cedex.
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`Introduction
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`Here we describe our technique for anterior reconstruction by interbody graft under video‐
`assisted thoracoscopy in relation to a case of observed dorsal fracture‐dislocation T5‐T6. Five
`interventions of this type have already been performed.
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`Thoracoscopy has long remained limited to the diagnosis and treatment of pleural pathologies.
`Thanks to the rapid progress in optics and imaging, the vision enabled is comparable in precision to that
`achieved through open exploration. Other curative actions are thus carried out in an everyday manner,
`Landreneau (7): “wedge resection” for pulmonary metastases, lobectomy, sympathectomy, mediastinal
`biopsy. Few procedures specific to the rachis have been performed. Mack (10) describes 3 previous
`releases for kyphoscoliosis, 4 discectomies for herniated disc and anterior fusion, 2 biopsies of abscess
`drainage. In all cases, these actions involved removal.
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`The recognized significance of this technique for spinal surgery is the reduction of the risks of
`morbidity inherent to traditional thoracotomies, Lewis (8), which is to say the peroperative morbidity:
`minimal muscular resection, no rib resection or risk of rib fracture, initially bloodless, thus eliminating
`the risk of parietal hematoma, and the postoperative morbidity: immediate painful consequences and
`troubles with the parietal mechanics and ventilation (atelectasis), scapular dysfunction, tenacious
`residual pain, scarring issues (paresthesia, subcutaneous adhesions).
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`Lyon Chir., 90/5, 1994.
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`Observed case
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`H., 26 years of age, was thrown from his motorcycle during a head‐on collision on 12/27/1993.
`The initial assessment shows a fracture‐dislocation T5‐T6 whose discoligamentous component is
`dominant, with an associated fracture of the sternum (Fig. 1 a), with respect to the alignment of the
`posterior wall of the 2 vertebrae considered in the sagittal plane (Fig. 1 b). This fracture is accompanied
`by a Brown‐Sequard syndrome (complete motor impairment of the right side).
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`This was therefore a very unstable fracture according to the criteria established by Louis and
`Goutaillier in 1977 (9). This instability was exacerbated by an associated fracture of the sternum as
`shown by Argenson (1) and constitutes a subgroup of the classification by Denis (4) with acute
`instability. In the emergency ward, after an assessment that included X‐rays and frontal and sagittal
`tomography, a reduction and posterior stabilization were achieved thanks to the Cotrel‐Dubousset‐type
`instruments (3), without associated posterior arthrodesis.
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`An anterior arthrodesis T5‐T6 under thoracoscopy was performed on 1/13/94, on the
`seventeenth day after the accident. The patient was discharged from the department on 23 January,
`without splinting. The only discomfort reported, immediately post‐operation, was at the thoracic drain
`until the removal thereof at 48 hours. The pulmonary X‐ray was perfect on the 3rd day post‐operation.
`From a neurological perspective, he suffered from a lack of dorsiflexion strength in the right foot.
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`Technique
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`Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in a strict left lateral cubitus position. The
`operating site is the same as in a traditional posterolateral thoracotomy. Thanks to the right pulmonary
`exclusion, the thoracic cavity lends itself ideally to endoscopic work. An image intensifier is placed
`cranially above the patient. The initial check must show, from the front of the pedicles perfectly in front,
`a good level that is easy to locate with respect to the posterior instrumentation. A cutaneous mark
`shows the anterior and posterior axillary lines over the entire height of the right rib cage.
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`Placement of the trocars
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`An initial 3 cm incision behind the posterior axillary line is made directly above the layer to be
`arthrodesed, through the latissimus dorsi muscle, then the serratus anterior muscle and the internal and
`external intercostal muscles are sections with an electric scalpel level with the superior edge of the rib.
`A finger verifies the pulmonary collapse prior to the introduction of the rigid 10 mm optic, without
`angulation. It is through this posterior orifice that the graft will be introduced later (Fig. 2 a: point no. 1).
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`Through a 1 cm incision, a second trocar is placed on the anterior axillary line at the same level
`as the optic, through which a thoracoscopic clamp will be introduced in order to keep the pulmonary
`parenchyma isolated (Fig. 2 a: point no. 2). It is through this orifice that the camera will be placed at the
`end of the intervention, ensuring visual control of the placement of the graft (Fig. 2 b).
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`Finally, through a third 1 cm incision, also on the anterior axillary line, in the 8th or 9th intercostal
`space and under endoscopic control in order to prevent perforating the diaphragm, a thoracic trocar will
`enable the passage of the suitable surgical and hemostasis instruments. One thus obtains the
`thoracoscopic triangulation strategy (7) (Fig. 2 a: point no. 3).
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`Lyon Chir., 90/5, 1994.
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`Fig. 1 a – Frontal dislocation T5‐T6
`with oblique cutting of the right
`anteroinferior corner of T5. Disco‐
`ligamentous component.
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`Fig. 1 b – Lateral radiograph.
`Alignment of
`the posterior
`walls. Fracture of the sternum.
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`Fig. 2 a – Thoracoscopic approach
`and “trepanation orifices.”
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`Dissection, exposure
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`Fig. 2 b – Control of the placement
`and impaction of the graft.
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`After an initial intra‐thoracic inspection and location of the level (image intensifier, local
`hematoma), the alternating use of endoscopic scissors, electric scalpel and clips makes it possible to
`create a true “pleural flap” with initial unilateral sacrifice of the adjacent vessels. This time of basic
`preventive hemostasis simplifies the procedure.
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`It is imperative to locate the anterior portion of the rib head corresponding to the level to
`arthrodese; it projects precisely at the level of the disc to be excised. The pleura of the anterior common
`vertebral ligament (ACVL) passing behind it must not be released, as it keeps dangerous vessels isolated
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`Lyon Chir., 90/5, 1994.
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`(in the reported case, the thoracic canal is anterior and median, the azygos vein in right antero‐laterial
`position).
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`The arthrodesis.
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`The intra‐thoracic electric scalpel makes a hole in the external face of the disc, then a large
`straight or bent curette (Fig. 3: a and b) is introduced in order to make the discectomy as complete as
`possible. Large staggered rongeurs can also be used. The next‐to‐last surgical stage involves the
`calibration of a “blind tunnel.” The initial trepanation must be precisely perpendicular to the plane of
`the right lateral face of the vertebral body T5‐T6, the level to be arthrodesed (Fig. 3: c and d). The
`cutting edge of the wick is situated 5 mm behind the ACVL, then after penetration of its centering point,
`the direction is slightly oblique from the front to back; the axis of the tunnel thus extends behind the
`descending thoracic aorta (Fig. 4). The wicks used have a very deep groove which enables the easy
`expulsion of the bone chips without the risk of discharging them intraductally (Fig. 3: c and d). The
`selection of the diameter of the wick depends on the volume of the vertebral body and on the size of
`the lesioned site to be grafted. We have 4 diameters available: 14, 16, 18 and 20 mm, enabling us to
`force‐fit hydroxyapatite grafts (porosity 3%) of 14, 16, 18 and 20 mm and 35 mm in length, chamfered
`on their penetrating edge. The regular progression of the wick is monitored using the image intensifier,
`withdrawn regularly, and the integrity of the residual posterior wall is checked using a long curette by
`persistence of hard contact.
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`The left cortex of the vertebral body is respected. After ablation of the osteodiscal fragments,
`through the orifice into which the optic and then the wick was introduced, a Plexiglas guide tube is
`applied to the inlet orifice of the blind tunnel. A graft having a diameter of more than 2 mm greater than
`that of the wick slides in this tube and is impacted with force. Its progression is monitored using the
`image intensifier (Fig. 3: e and f).
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`Fig. 3 – a, b: Location of the level and curette discectomy.
`c, d: Trapanation and monitoring of the progression of the wick.
`e, f: Placement and impaction of the graft.
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`Fig. 4 – Post‐operative radiograph from the front.
`Posterior
`osteosynthesis
`by
`Cotrel‐Dubousset
`instrumentation. Anterior arthrodesis by thoracoscopy.
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`Lyon Chir., 90/5, 1994.
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`The graft must lightly touch the right edge of the trephined spine. It achieved hemostasis
`through pressure. In this way, we achieve a short arthrodesis without intra‐thoracic osteosynthesis that
`is reminiscent of the principle of anterior cervical arthrodesis in the manner of Cloward (2), but on a
`different plane (Fig. 4).
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`The closure is done on a single thoracic drain, exiting through the posterior orifice, placed on
`suction at ‐20 mmHg.
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`The radiographic assessment is performed in the recovery room (Fig. 4). It is completed
`systematically by tomodensitometric sections to verify the position of the graft (Fig. 5). The
`scanographic control criteria are as follows: On the sagittal plane: graft behind the anterior cortex and
`the ACVL with respect to the posterior vertebral wall. On the frontal plane: graft lightly touching the
`entry orifice; the entry orifice must be anterior on the lateral face, giving the graft a slightly oblique
`orientation from front to back and from right to left.
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`In the event of a breach, all contact with the thoracic aorta on the left edge of the spine is
`avoided. Rehabilitation is started beginning on the day after the intervention (active scapular
`mobilization).
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`Discussion
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`There is nothing very original in the emergency treatment of an unstable fracture of the dorsal
`spine including neurological signs: surgical reduction using a posterior approach, the release of the
`spinal canal and osteosynthesis being the best chance to see the neurological complications regress. In
`this particular case, the spinal hemi‐section syndrome was directly attributed to the lateral translation
`on the frontal plane. The stabilization in the reduction position fulfilled its role as true ductal release, as
`shown by the control scanner (Fig. 5) with a perfectly free spinal canal.
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`Fig. 5 – Post‐operative tomodensitometry. Impaction of the graft flush with the entry orifice. Respect of the opposing cortex.
`Oblique path from right to left and from front to rear. Free spinal canal.
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`However, at the dorsal level, isolated posterior osteosynthesis, successful thanks to the rigidity
`due to the material and to its segmental fixation (3, 5), does not prevent a loss of correction in
`secondary kyphosis through major disco‐ligamentous instability or loss of bony substance in the absence
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`Lyon Chir., 90/5, 1994.
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`of the associated posterior arthrodesis or anterior reconstruction of the vertebral body. This kyphosis
`can create angulation with severe progressive risk of anterior neurological compression: it is therefore
`advisable not to wait until the kyphosis is irreducible and the pleura adjoining before performing the
`anterior graft; what is more, many surgeons hesitate to perform the thoracotomy early on following the
`collision and the
`initial
`intervention. For this reason, early reconstruction thoracoscopy, an
`indispensable procedure, remains low‐trauma and prevents any long‐term vertebral degradation. One
`can dispute, however, the use of a block of porous apatite whose regenerative quality is known to be
`limited to less than 5 years, Kehr (5). This deliberate initial choice while developing this new technique
`makes it possible to verify the precision of the peroperative progression and of the definitive position of
`the graft thanks to the image intensifier and tomodensitometry, respectively. A tricortical iliac autograft
`will later be a safer alternative. Finally, it is attractive, through such a procedure, to be able to envisage
`the shortening of the posterior instrumentation, limiting the extent of the area of stiffness. Therefore,
`once arthrodesis has been achieved, the material can be easily withdrawn without any apprehension for
`the future.
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`Conclusion
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`New result from technical research that is still in the process of being perfected (5 operated
`cases), and thanks to a simple ancillary device, adjuvant anterior spinal fusion via video‐assisted
`thoracoscopy enables the completely safe placement of an interbody graft. The demands for the lowest
`possible morbidity given the morbidity inherent to traditional techniques of thoracotomy are thus met.
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`Lyon Chir., 90/5, 1994.
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`TRANSLATOR CERTIFICATION
`
`County of New York
`State of New York
`
`Date: March 12, 2013
`
`
`To whom it may concern:
`
`This is to certify that the attached translation from French into English is an accurate
`representation of the documents received by this office.
`
`The documents are designated as:
` Baulot, Trouilloud, Bernard, and Grammont – Adjuvant Anterior Spinal Fusion via
`Thoracoscopy
`
`
`Roxanne Le, Project Manager in this company, certifies that Christian Scrogum, who translated
`these documents, is fluent in French and standard North American English and qualified to
`translate. Roxanne Le attests to the following:
`
`“To the best of my knowledge, the aforementioned documents are a true, full and accurate
`translation of the specified documents.”
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`Signature of Roxanne Le
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