SURGICAL APPROACHES TO THE THORACOLUMBAR SPINE

Surgical treatment of diseases involving the thoracolumbar spine offer s a unique challenge to the spine surgeon. Although more familiar post erior techniques are useful for a variety of thoracolumbar problems, t he management of disease in this region is often optimized by an anter ior approach. Thoracolumbar surgery requires an understanding of the r elevant surgical anatomy, the pathologic processes affecting this regi on, and the relative indications and contraindications for particular operative strategies. It is also essential to be familiar with the man agement of potential morbidity, methods for avoiding complications, an d the selection of particular fusion techniques and instrumentation de vices associated with specific operative strategies.