Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Versus Open Thoracotomy for Anterior Thoracic Spinal Fusion

Abstract

Thoracic interbody spinal fusions performed by thoracoscopy have demonstrated histologic, biomechanical, and radiographic equivalence to those performed by a thoracotomy approach. However, in the endoscopy group, intraoperative complications causing longer operative times, higher estimated blood loss, and increased animal morbidity indicated a substantial learning curve associated with the adoption of this surgical technique.