Surgical access to tumors of the cervicothoracic junction

Anterior Access to the Cervicothoracic Junction via Partial Sternotomy: A Clinical Series Reporting on Technical Feasibility, Postoperative Morbidity, and Early Surgical Outcome

Surgical access to the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is challenging. The aim of this study was to assess technical feasibility, early morbidity, and outcome in patients undergoing anterior access to the CTJ via partial sternotomy. Consecutive cases with CTJ pathology treated via anterior access and partial sternotomy at a single academic center from 2017 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, perioperative imaging, and outcome were assessed with regards to the aims of the study. A total of eight cases were analyzed: four (50%) bone metastases, one (12.5%) traumatic instable fracture (B3-AO-Fracture), one (12.5%) thoracic disc herniation with spinal cord compression, and two (25%) infectious pathologic fractures from tuberculosis and spondylodiscitis. The median age was 49.9 years (range: 22-74 y), with a 75% male preponderance. The median Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) was 14.5 (IQR: 5; range: 9-16), indicating a high degree of instability in treated cases. Four cases (50%) underwent additional posterior instrumentation. All surgical procedures were performed uneventfully, with no intraoperative complications. The median length of hospital stay was 11.5 days (IQR: 9; range: 6-20), including a median of 1 day in an intensive care unit (ICU). Two cases developed postoperative dysphagia related to stretching and temporary dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Both cases completely recovered at 3 months follow-up. No in-hospital mortality was observed. The radiological outcome was unremarkable in all cases, with no case of implant failure. One case died due to the underlying disease during follow-up. The median follow-up was 2.6 months (IQR: 23.8; range: 1-45.7 months). Our series indicates that the anterior approach to the cervicothoracic junction and upper thoracic spine via partial sternotomy can be considered an effective option for treatment of anterior spinal pathologies, exhibiting a reasonable safety profile. Careful case selection is essential to adequately balance clinical benefits and surgical invasiveness for these procedures.

Surgical Treatment of Cervicothoracic Junction Lesions in Children: A Series of 18 Cases

PURPOSE

The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) lesions in children is rare. Surgical treatment for lesions at the cervicothoracic junction is challenging due to the presence of the great vessels and other thoracic structures. There are no criteria that help select a surgical approach to manage cervicothoracic lesions in children so far. This study focuses on the cervicothoracic junction lesions in children(C7-T4) and provides experience for the appropriate surgical approach for them.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 18 children with cervicothoracic junction lesions who underwent surgical treatment in our Hospital from January 2015 to September 2019. They were evaluated with preoperative CT or MR imaging and diagnosed postoperatively by pathological examination.

RESULTS

This study included 2 patients with congenital lesions, 4 patients with benign lesions, and 12 patients with malignant lesions. Lesions with a margin below C7-T3, including benign and malignant tumors could be resected using a simple low anterior cervical approach (LACA). Congenital lesions and benign lesions with a margin below T4 could also be treated with this approach. Two-thirds of the malignant lesions below T4 were resected through the LACA combined with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). 1 patient with malignant lesion extending to T4 was removed by the LACA combined with posterolateral thoracotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The lesions at the cervicothoracic junction (C7-T4) in children may be managed with the simple LACA used in most patients. For malignancies extending to the T4 level, LACA and VATS could be performed in combination to resect lesions completely and invasively.

Transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach for resection of cervico-thoracic lesions

Background

To review our experience of transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach (TMA) for resection of various lesions involving the thoracic inlet and to prove the feasibility and safety of the approach.

Methods

Retrospective review of 58 consecutive cases, from April 2007 to January 2016, with surgical resection of cervico-thoracic lesions via TMA.

Results

There were 22 neurogenic tumors, 21 bronchogenic tumors, and 15 other cases in the study. There was no intraoperative or postoperative mortality. Mean postoperative stay was 10.5 days (3-33 days). Mean operation time was 179.0 mins (57-328 mins) and the mean volume of blood loss for bronchogenic tumors was 900 mL, which was similar to non-bronchogenic tumors (474 mL, P=0.103). Moreover, patients with malignant tumors had more intraoperative blood loss than patients with benign diseases did (847 versus 194 mL, P=0.001). R0 resection was achieved in 28 of 33 (84.8%) malignant cases. Tumor size was related to incomplete resection (8.19 vs. 5.72 cm, P=0.023) in malignancy. Five (8.6%) cases were complicated with chylothorax and all occurred in patients with left incision. All of 21 cases (100%) with brachial plexus compression symptom were relieved after surgery and 3 of 4 (75%) cases with Horner's syndrome were ameliorated postoperatively.

Conclusions

TMA can be carried out safely in treating various cervico-thoracic lesions with good resection rate. Left side procedure should be cautious of thoracic duct injury.

The use of the trapdoor incision for access to thoracic inlet pathology in children

Lesions at the thoracic inlet are difficult to access via a thoracic or cervical approach. The use of the anterior cervico-thoracic trapdoor incision has been reported to give good exposure to the anterior superior mediastinum in adults. We report our experience of four cases where a trapdoor incision was used to gain excellent access and exposure to thoracic inlet pathology in children.

Castleman's disease in childhood: report of three cases and review of the literature

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare, localized or generalized, lymphoproliferative disorder with a frequent mediastinal location, but possible in any lymph node or extra nodal site. It usually appears in young adults whilst it rarely occurs in childhood. There are only about 100 pediatric cases published, five of them in Italy. We report 3 cases of localized Castleman's disease, investigated in our Department in a 3 years period and reviewed the literature.

Thoracic vertebrectomy and spinal reconstruction via anterior, posterior, or combined approaches: clinical outcomes in 91 consecutive patients with metastatic spinal tumors

OBJECT

Adequate decompression of the thoracic spinal cord often requires a complete vertebrectomy. Such procedures can be performed from an anterior/transthoracic, posterior, or combined approach. In this study, the authors sought to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with spinal metastatic tumors undergoing anterior, posterior, and combined thoracic vertebrectomies to determine the efficacy and operative morbidity of such approaches.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing thoracic vertebrectomies at a single institution over the past 7 years. Characteristics of patients and operative procedures were documented. Neurological status, perioperative variables, and complications were assessed and associations with each approach were analyzed.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients (mean age 55.5 +/- 13.7 years) underwent vertebrectomies via an anterior (22 patients, 24.2%), posterior (45 patients, 49.4%), or combined anterior-posterior approach (24 patients, 26.4%) for metastatic spinal tumors. The patients did not differ significantly preoperatively in terms of neurological assessments on the Nurick and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment scales, ambulatory ability, or other comorbidities. Anterior approaches were associated with less blood loss than posterior approaches (1172 +/- 1984 vs 2486 +/- 1645 ml, respectively; p = 0.03) or combined approaches (1172 +/- 1984 vs 2826 +/- 2703 ml, respectively; p = 0.05) but were associated with a similar length of stay compared with the other treatment cohorts (11.5 +/- 9.3 [anterior] vs 11.3 +/- 8.6 [posterior] vs 14.3 +/- 6.7 [combined] days; p = 0.35). The posterior approach was associated with a higher incidence of wound infection compared with the anterior approach cohort (26.7 vs 4.5%, respectively; p = 0.03), and patients in the posterior approach group experienced the highest rates of deep vein thrombosis (15.6% [posterior] vs 0% [other 2 groups]; p = 0.02). However, the posterior approach demonstrated the lowest incidence of pneumothorax (4.4%; p < 0.0001) compared with the other 2 cohorts. Duration of chest tube use was greater in the combined patient group compared with the anterior approach cohort (8.8 +/- 6.2 vs 4.7 +/- 2.3 days, respectively; p = 0.01), and the combined group also experienced the highest rates of radiographic pleural effusion (83.3%; p = 0.01). Postoperatively, all groups improved neurologically, although functional outcome in patients undergoing the combined approach improved the most compared with the other 2 groups on both the Nurick (p = 0.04) and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment scales (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Decisions regarding the approach to thoracic vertebrectomy may be complex. This study found that although anterior approaches to the thoracic vertebrae have been historically associated with significant pulmonary complications, in our experience these rates are nevertheless quite comparable to that encountered via a posterior or combined approach. In fact, the posterior approach was found to be associated with a higher risk for some perioperative complications such as wound infection and deep vein thromboses. Finally, the combined anteriorposterior approach may provide greater ambulatory and neurological improvements in properly selected patients.

Modified paramedian transpedicular approach and spinal reconstruction for intradural tumors of the cervical and cervicothoracic spine: clinical experience

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of the medical, radiographic, surgical, and postoperative records of patients who underwent resection of multilevel intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors of the ventral cervical and cervicothoracic spine via a modified paramedian transpedicular approach at the University of California, San Francisco, between 2003 and 2005.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the surgical, clinical, and radiographic outcomes of using the modified paramedian transpedicular approach to resect ventral intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors of the ventral cervical and cervicothoracic spine.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

A common theme of skull-base surgery for many years has been to remove the bone rather than retract neural elements. In this report, we demonstrate some possible advantages of taking a "spine-base" approach for resecting intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors of the ventral cervical and cervicothoracic spinal canal, and present our clinical experience.

METHODS

All medical, surgical, and radiologic records were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcome was assessed for disability via the Neck Disability Index and for pain via the visual analog scale.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (4 males and 10 females, average age 39.6 years, range 20-62) with intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors involving multiple levels of the anterior cervical and cervicothoracic spine were identified. All patients presented with pain and/or radiculomyelopathy attributed to a ventral intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumor of the cervical or cervicothoracic spine that was resected via the modified paramedian transpedicular approach with partial dorsal corpectomy and posterior spinal reconstruction. The average follow-up period was 14.6 months (range 5-30). Gross total resection was achieved in all cases, and no patient required additional surgery via an anterior approach for residual tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified paramedian transpedicular approach with partial dorsal corpectomy we describe here is a variation of traditional thoracic posterolateral transpedicular extracavitary approaches and offers direct access to lesions of the ventral cervicothoracic spinal canal. This approach avoids the morbidity of anterior transcervical, transoral, or transthoracic procedures, while providing a view of the entire ventral cervicothoracic canal, and can be performed safely and effectively in select patients.

A perspective for the selection of surgical approaches in patients with upper thoracic and cervicothoracic junction instabilities

OBJECTIVE

To reach the upper thoracic vertebrae, a number of extensive approaches have been proposed. The purpose of this study is to provide a clear perspective for the selection of surgical approaches in patients who undergo vertebral body resection, reconstruction, and stabilization for upper thoracic and cervicothoracic junction instabilities.

METHODS

Seventeen patients with upper thoracic or cervicothoracic junction (C7-T6) instability underwent surgery between January 1999 and May 2004. All patients presented with pain and/or neurological deficits. The causes of instabilities were 10 traumas and 7 pathological fractures. The approach chosen was primarily dictated by 3 factors including (1) type of injury, (2) level of lesion, and (3) time of admission. Ventral surgical approach was performed to all pathological and traumatic fractures causing anterior spinal cord compression. Level of lesion determined the selection of the type of ventral surgical approach, namely, supramanubrial, transmanubrial, or lateral transthoracic. On the other hand, combined (anterior and posterior) approach was performed to all late admitted trauma patients.

RESULTS

Twelve anterior, 2 combined (anterior and posterior), and 3 posterior approaches were performed in this study. Anterior approaches included 3 transmanubrial, 5 upper lateral transthoracic, and 4 supramanubrial cervical dissection procedures for decompression, fusion, and plate-screw fixation depending on the levels of the lesion. The mean follow-up period was 18 months, ranging from 10 to 58 months. Nonunion or instrument-related complications were not observed. The postoperative neurological conditions were statistically significantly better than the preoperative ones (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Consideration of the type of injury, level of lesion, and time of admission can provide a perspective for the selection of side of surgical approach for this transitional part of the spinal column. This study also suggests that supramanubrial cervical approach achieves sufficient exposure up to T2, transmanubrial approach for T3, and lateral transthoracic approach below T3.

Surgical treatment of tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction

OBJECT

Tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction can have a high propensity for causing instability, with kyphosis and spinal cord compression resulting. Treatment with decompression only can lead to further instability and worsening neurological status. In this article, the authors review their surgical experience in the treatment of 19 patients with tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction. The various approaches and instrumentation techniques involved in decompression and stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction are also reviewed.

METHODS

Aggressive instrumentation-augmented fusion after decompression of the cervicothoracic region can provide for immediate stabilization and early rehabilitation. Recent development of new hardware such as dual-diameter transition rods, polyaxial screws, and interlocking devices have enhanced the ability to fashion a strong construct for stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction.

CONCLUSIONS

Familiarity with complex instrumentation techniques and various surgical approaches to the cervicothoracic junction will be required for effective treatment of tumors causing instability of this region.

Morbidity and validity of the hemiclamshell approach for thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVE

This is a prospective study to evaluate the indications and outcome of the hemiclamshell incision (longitudinal partial sternotomy combined with an antero-lateral thoracotomy) as used for a consecutive series of patients requiring surgery for various thoracic pathologies not ideally approached by postero-lateral thoracotomy, sternotomy or thoracoscopy.

METHODS

All patients with a hemiclamshell incision performed between 1994 and 1998 were prospectively analyzed regarding indications, postoperative morbidity and outcome (clinical examination and pulmonary function testing) in order to validate this incision for thoracic surgery.

RESULTS

25 patients (15 men, 10 women) with an age ranging from 16 to 73 years (mean 43 years) underwent a hemiclamshell incision. The indications for the hemiclamshell approach were (1) chest trauma with massive hemorrhage requiring urgent access to the mediastinum and the ipsilateral pleural space (40%), (2) tumors of the anterior cervico-thoracic junction with suspicion of vascular involvement (28%) and (3) lesions involving both one chest cavity and the mediastinum (32%). The 30-day mortality was 8%. One patient suffered a sternal wound infection, mediastinitis and pleural empyema after a gun shot wound, whereas wound healing was uneventful in all other patients. Analgesic requirements for postoperative pain relief were not increased as compared to those following a standard thoracotomy. At 3 months normal sensitivity of the entire chest wall and intact shoulder girdle function was noted in 90% of the patients. Pulmonary function testing showed no restriction due to the hemiclamshell incision.

CONCLUSIONS

The hemiclamshell incision is a useful approach in selected patients and does not cause more morbidity or long-term sequelae than a standard thoracotomy.

Antero-superior approaches in the practice of thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To review our experience using antero-superior approaches for resection of a heterogeneous group of tumors, both benign and malignant, involving the thoracic inlet and adjacent structures. These included Pancoast type bronchial carcinomas, primary neurogenic tumors, soft-tissue neoplasms, and metastases from a variety of primary sites.

METHODS

Between October 1993 and January 1998 we undertook 22 operations on 21 patients using a variety of antero-superior approaches. The anterior cervical-transsternal approach was used in 11 operations, the Dartevelle technique was used in five cases, the modification described by Nazari in one patient and that described by Grunenwald in five cases.

RESULTS

21 of the 22 operations were considered to be complete resections with negative margins. There were no intraoperative or postoperative deaths. Major complications occurred in five patients; acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 4), and thrombosis of the arterial graft and acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 1). Chronic morbidity was observed in 12 patients; prolonged arm pain (n = 1), arm edema (n = 2), motor and sensory deficits (n = 2), phrenic nerve paresis (n = 1), disfigurement and instability of the pectoral girdle (n = 4), and disturbances in shoulder girdle function (n = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The anterior cervical-transsternal approach we previously described provides adequate exposure for the resection of neurogenic tumors originating in the brachial plexus and sympathetic chain, and for metastatic nodal disease at the base of the neck or in the superior mediastinum. We have found it to be associated with little morbidity, the postoperative stay has been short, and it has proven flexible enough to cope with the changed circumstances found at surgery. For Pancoast type bronchogenic carcinomas and other malignancies with extensive invasion of major structures at the thoracic inlet, we believe the best present option is the clavicle sparing antero-superior technique described by Grunenwald as a modification of the Dartevelle approach. When operating for lung cancer we presently feel that the antero-superior approach should be combined with a posterolateral thoracotomy, to accomplish complete intraoperative staging and undertake anatomical pulmonary resection under optimal conditions.

Cervicothoracic tumors: results of resection by the "hemi-clamshell" approach

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to describe the "hemi-clamshell" approach for the resection of primary and metastatic tumors of the cervicothoracic junction, evaluate its morbidity and mortality, and present survival data on a series of 42 patients who underwent resection with the use of this technique.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the records of all patients of a single surgeon undergoing resection of tumors of the cervicothoracic junction. Data collected includes tumor type and involvement, type of resection, complications, and survival.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients underwent resection of various primary (n = 28) and metastatic (n = 14) tumors of the cervicothoracic junction over 6.5 years by means of the hemi-clamshell approach. En bloc resection of the tumor and invaded structures was successful in all but two patients (5%), who required an additional posterolateral thoracotomy to facilitate removal of tumor invading the posterior chest wall. Invaded structures that were resected included lung (n = 22), vertebral body (n = 7), chest wall (n = 8), central veins (n = 10), thyroid (n = 3), carotid artery (n = 1), and cervical esophagus (n = 1). Four major complications occurred in three patients, and nine minor complications occurred in eight patients. There were no deaths. The overall 5-year actuarial survival was 67.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumors of the cervicothoracic junction are represented by a variety of histologic types and can be both primary and metastatic. The hemi-clamshell approach is a successful technique for the exposure and resection of these tumors. This approach has significant advantages over other previously reported techniques. The complication rate is low and the mortality rate is zero in this series, the largest yet reported. Long-term survival is acceptable if complete resection can be performed.