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Articles and graphics courtesy of Medtronic Sofamor Danek, 2002.

Anterior Thoracic

What is it?
The Anterior Thoracic correction of scoliosis, using an endoscopic system, is designed to allow the surgeon to accomplish all of the goals of a traditional "open" procedure, with much less trauma to the muscles of the back and the rib cage. Using an endoscopic system also offers some additional advantages, such as the ability to view the anatomy inside the chest cavity with specially designed cameras that brightly illuminate and magnify the surgical field.

Why is it done?
The CD HORIZON® ECLIPSE™ Spinal System was designed to correct the abnormal curves in the spine that occur in the condition known as "scoliosis."

The Operation

The Patient is placed on their lateral decubitus, with their arms at a 90° angle and the concave side of the curve down.

The Incision

Three to five incisions are made depending on the number of levels that will be operated on.

Two endoscopic monitors are used, one facing the patient. The spine surgeon faces the patient's back. The spine surgeon's position at the patient's back allows all of the instruments to be directed away from the spinal cord.

Discs Removed

The pleura is incised and retracted anterior and posterior from the vertebral bodies and the discs are removed in standard fashion using various endscopic instruments.

Rib Graft
Once all of the discs are removed, rib graft is harvested. The technique used provides an adequate amount of bone graft and preserves the integrity of the rib, thus protecting the intercostal nerve and decreasing post-operative pain.

Screw Placement
Screws are placed anterior to the rib head and aligned so that the screw heads are in an arc. Once all of the screws are in place the disc space is filled with bone graft.

Compression
A rod, cut to length, is inserted into the chest cavity and reduced into the screws. Once the rod has been seated and all of the plugs inserted into the screws, compression between the screws is performed.

Closing the Incision
The five small incisions are closed. Once healed the scars are cosmetically small and less noticeable than a traditional scoliosis scar.