Dynamic retraction of the psoas muscle to expose the lumbar spine using the retroperitoneal approach

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 468-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Rao ◽  
Robert Bohinski ◽  
Iman Feiz-Erfan ◽  
Laurence D. Rhines

✓The retroperitoneal surgical approach has gained acceptance as a way to access the ventral aspect of the lumbar spine. Visualization is often limited, however, by the psoas muscle, which lies along the posterolateral aspect of the spine. Improved visualization is often attempted by retracting the muscle from the wound, which generally pulls the muscle laterally from the spine but not posteriorly, which is desirable for a better exposure of the spine, particularly the neural elements. In this paper, the authors describe a simple, atraumatic technique for retraction of the psoas muscle that allows excellent visualization of the spine.


1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. E6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Mühlbauer ◽  
Wolfgang Pfisterer ◽  
Richard Eyb ◽  
Engelbert Knosp

Anterior decompressive surgery with spinal fusion is considered an effective treatment for thoracolumbar fractures and tumors. However, it is also known to be associated with considerable surgical approach–related trauma. The purpose of this study was to show that lumbar corpectomy and spinal reconstruction can be performed via a minimally invasive retroperitoneal (MIR) approach and therefore, the surgical approach–related trauma can be reduced. The hospital records and radiological studies obtained in five patients (mean age 67.4 years, range 59-76 years) who underwent lumbar corpectomy and spinal fusion via an MIR approach were studied retrospectively. Four patients presented with osteoporotic compression fractures at L-2 and L-3 and one patient with metastatic disease at L-4 from prostate cancer. In all patients neurological deficits due to cauda equina compression were demonstrated. The MIR approach provided excellent exposure to facilitate complete spinal decompression and reconstruction in all patients, as verified on follow-up x-ray studies. All patients improved clinically. A 1-year follow-up record, available for four patients, showed evidence of continuing clinical improvement and, radiographically, a solid fusion or a stable compound union and anatomically correct reconstruction. The MIR approach allows anterior lumbar spine surgery to be performed less invasively. The efficacy and safety of this technique compared with the conventional retroperitoneal approach to lumbar spine surgery should be further investigated in a larger series.



Spine ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (26) ◽  
pp. E1666-E1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilad J. Regev ◽  
Choll W. Kim ◽  
Akihito Tomiya ◽  
Yu Po Lee ◽  
Hossein Ghofrani ◽  
...  




2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 666-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth P. Unruh ◽  
Christopher L. Camp ◽  
Scott P. Zietlow ◽  
Paul M. Huddleston




2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 516-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M Safaee ◽  
Christopher P Ames ◽  
Vedat Deviren ◽  
Aaron J Clark

Abstract BACKGROUND Traditional approaches for retroperitoneal lumbar plexus schwannomas involve anterior open or laparoscopic resection. For select tumors, the lateral retroperitoneal approach provides a minimally invasive alternative. OBJECTIVE To describe a minimally invasive lateral transpsoas approach for the resection of retroperitoneal schwannomas. METHODS A lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach was used to resect a 3.1 × 2.7 × 4.1 cm schwannoma embedded within the psoas muscle. A minimally invasive retractor system allows for appropriate visualization and complete resection with the aid of the microscope. The patient tolerated the procedure without complication and was discharged on postoperative day 2 in good condition at her neurological baseline. RESULTS The lateral retroperitoneal approach provides a minimally invasive alternative for select retroperitoneal schwannomas. In theory, this procedure allows for faster recovery and less blood loss compared to traditional open anterior approaches. For a subset of tumors, anterior laparoscopy may provide better access, but the lateral approach is well known to most neurosurgeons who perform lateral interbody fusions and can be easily tailored to extraforaminal tumor resection. CONCLUSION Retroperitoneal schwannomas pose a challenge due to their deep location. The lateral retroperitoneal approach provides a useful alternative for resection of a subset of retroperitoneal schwannomas.



Spine ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 1765-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara R. Weber ◽  
Dieter Grob ◽  
Jiri Dvorák ◽  
Markus Müntener


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