European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Meta Analysis
Anterior thoracoscopic spine release in deformity surgery: a meta-analysis and review.
Videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) allows the surgeon to perform an anterior thoracoscopic spine release for spinal deformities. It is an alternative to open thoracotomy. Several years after its introduction the present author gives an update on the indications, surgical techniques, results, and complications of this new technology. ⋯ The VATS procedure has been used with success in most series for pediatric curves (average Cobb angle of 65 degrees or kyphosis of 75 degrees). No report of the surgical outcome (balance, rate of fusion, rib hump correction, cosmetic correction, pain, and patient satisfaction) was available for any series. Further prospective study including these parameters will be required to determine the real benefit of such procedures to the patient, bearing in mind that the correction of spinal deformities is the result of the surgeon's experience, skill, and the available technology.