An Anatomical Method for Rib Disconnection During Posterior Costotransversectomy for Paravertebral Access to the Ventral Thoracic Spine.

Abstract

Posterior costotransversectomy in the thoracic spine is commonly used for degenerative diseases, tumors, trauma, and other operative indications. It involves resection of the rib head after the ligamentous complexes have been disconnected from the transverse process and lateral vertebral body. The current literature provides only vague descriptions of the steps involved in rib disconnection with respect to posterior costotransversectomy. Through cadaveric studies and in vivo application, a stepwise method for rib disconnection is described. This manuscript is the first to outline an anatomical method for rib disconnection during costotransversectomy.