Authors of section

Authors

Alex Vaccaro, Frank Kandziora, Michael Fehlings, Rajasekaran Shanmughanathan

Executive Editor

Luiz Vialle

General Editor

German Ochoa (in memoriam)

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Lateral decubitus for minimally invasive left sided thoracic approach (T10-L2)

1. Positioning for minimally invasive left sided thoracic approach (T10-L2)

The patient is placed onto a radiolucent table and turned into the lateral decubitus position, left side up.

The left arm is elevated and placed in a well-padded support and a cushion pad should be placed underneath the right axilla.

Depending on surgeon preference, the table could have a tilting option. If selected, the tilting option should be located underneath the patient's thoracolumbar junction, which gives the possibility to open the intercostal space.

Pitfall
If the tilting option is used in the table, be careful to straighten the table prior to performing the instrumented fusion.

Positioning

2. Anesthesia

General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation is required.

Single lung ventilation is generally recommended.

3. Preoperative antibiotics

Antibiotics should be administered well prior to the incision and also at intervals during the procedure or when the blood loss exceeds 2 liters.

A cephalosporin antibiotic with good gram positive coverage is generally recommended. Local bacterial spectrum will need to be taken into account; this should be discussed with the hospital microbiologist.

4. Spinal cord monitoring

Spinal cord monitoring is optional.

5. Fluoroscopy/x-ray control

Fluoroscopy or x-ray control is mandatory. Preoperatively, it should be assured that the C-arm can be moved around the patient freely.

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