background

Surigcal intervention and access to the upper dorsal vertebrae through the anterior approach is difficult due to the anatomy of the region and the structures surrounding the upper dorsal spine, we go into precise detail about the mini-sternotomy approach in treating traumatic, infectious, and metastatic upper Dorsal vertebral body pathologies.



Aim of the work

our experience in using the ministernal approach in treatment of anterior upper dorsal pathologies.



Patients and methodss

This is a retrospective study on 10 patients with dorsal myelopathies due to traumatic, infection and metastases with D1 to D4 vertebral body involvement from 2018 treated with a mini-sternal approach in Minia university hospital.



Results

Follow up was for 12 months in mean. Frankel grade was used to assess patients after operation and showed improvement in 70% of cases while 30% showed no improvement. Mean operative time was 110 minutes and no intraoperative complications were encountered.





Conclusion

Infectious, metastatic, and traumatic lesions involving the anterior high dorsal spine can be treated safely with the mini transsternal approach, which is also the only one that allows for early and precise exposure of the anterior dura. With great functional patient outcomes, this approach bypasses the anatomical limitations of the region and provides enough space for the best restoration and maintenance of spinal alignment in the cervico-dorsal region transition zone.