Objective To investigate the therapeutic effectof the modified anterior approach in treatment of the patients with cervicothoracic junction spinal lesions. Methods From September 2000 to January 2005, 23 patients (15 males, 8 females) with spinal lesions in the cervicothoracic junction underwent a standard cervical approach, which was combined with apartial median steotomy and transverse steotomy through the synostosis between the manubrium and body of the sternum to expose the lesion adequately. Among thepatients, 3 had fracture, 7 had dislocation, 6 had tuberculosis, and 7 had tumor. The pathologic change regions was as follows: 2 in the C6-T1 segment, 2in the C6-T2 segment, 3 in the C7-T1 segment, 3 in the T3 segment, 8 in the T1 segment, and 5 in the T2egment. The classification of Frankel were as follows: 2 at grade A, 4 at grade B, 7 at grade C, 4 at grade D, and 6 at grade E. All the patients underwent a radical excision of the affected spinal bone, were given a proper tricortical iliac crest and anterior instrumentation to reconstruct the anterior spinal column, followed by immobilization in a brace for 3-6 months. Results The mean followup period was 30 months (range, 1042 months). Bony fusion was obtained in all the patients.One patient died of pulmonary cancer metastasis 10 months after operation. The nerve function of the spinal cord recovered at different degrees (1 at grade A, None at grade B, 2 at grade C, 10 at grade D, 10 at grade E). Conclusion Ourmodified anterior approach can provide a direct and safe access to the lesions in the region.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the metastasis feature and the dissecting value of cervicothoracic lymph node for middle esophageal squamous carcinoma. MethodsA total of 303 patients admitted to the Rugao Boai Hospital(107 patients) and the Rugao People's Hospital (196 patients) received the stapled cervical esophagogastrostomy via different thoracic approach according to the admission order number between March 2005 and February 2013. There were 290 patients with Ro resections including 149 patients by Ivor-Lewis approach (an Ivor-Lewis group) and 141 patients by Sweet approach (a Sweet group). The data of lymph nodal dissection and PTNM stage and follow-up of the two groups were analyzed. ResultsThe number of positive lymph nodes dissected from the cervicothoracic junction in the IvorLewis group was significantly greater than that in own upper abdomen (Z=3.12, P<0.05) and that in the cervicothoracic junctionin in the Sweet group (Z=3.30, P<0.05). The lymph node metastasis rate of the cervicothoracic junction in the Ivor-Lewis group was significantly higher than that in own upper abdomen(χ2=10.76, P<0.05)and that in the cervicothoracic junction in the Sweet group (χ2=7.34, P<0.05). The lymph node ratio (LNR) of the cervicothoracic junction in the Ivor-Lewis group was significantly higher than that in own upper abdomen (χ2=11.67, P<0.05) and that in the cervicothoracic junction in the Sweet group (χ2=5.99, P<0.05). The proportion of patients which PTNM were Ⅲa or Ⅲb as N＞N1 in the Ivor-Lewis group was significantly higher than that in the Sweet group(χ2=5.59, P<0.05). After surgery of 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, the rate of lymph node local recurrence and the total rate of tumor metastasis or recurrence in the Ivor-Lewis group were significantly lower than in the Sweet group (P<0.05). The survival rate in the Ivor-Lewis group was significantly greater than that in the Sweet group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe cervicothoracic junction has a higher incidence of lymphatic metastasis, which transfer intensity is greater than that of upper abdomen. The extended cervicothoracic lymph node dissection should be indeed indispensible to increase of radical resection and the accuracy of PTNM stage and to improve the long term survival for middle esophageal carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of applying trans-upper-sternal approach in resection of cervicothoracic junction tumors. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 32 patients with cervicothoracic junction tumors received surgical resection through the trans-upper-sternal approach in our hospital from March 2012 through March 2015. There were 20 males and 12 females at age of 18 to 76(44.8±11.3) years. ResultsAll patients successfully underwent tumor resection through trans-upper-sternal approach. No patient required to convert to full sternotomy during the surgery. There was no early death, re-operation, or incision infection in the perioperation. Hornor syndrome occurred in 1 patient, hoarseness in 3 patients, and lymphatic leakage in 1 patient in the early postoperative time. Postoperative in-hospital time ranged from 3 to 7 days. No patient needed blood transfusion. Pathological examination showed that 17 patients had malignant tumor. Among them, 15 patients received postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 42 months. All patients were alive, and no limbs disturbance occurred. ConclusionApplying trans-upper-sternal approach is safe, feasible and effective for the resection of cervicothoracic junction tumor with satisfactory outcome, less trauma, better cosmetolgy, and faster recovery.