Anterior exposure of the thoracic spine

Spinal operation via an anterior thoracic approach is becoming increasingly common, and the thoracic surgeon is now being called upon to provide exposure for orthopedic and neurosurgical colleagues. We report experience with 126 such patients from 1982 through 1993. There were 61 male and 65 female patients (mean age, 39.0 years; range, 14 to 77 years). Indications were trauma in 45 patients (36%), spinal deformity in 42 (33%), cancer in 15...